Woman Up: How to Ease Your Mammogram Worries

Most women understand the life-saving importance of a routine screening mammogram. But if anxiety has you avoiding the procedure, you’re not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 out of every 3 women age 40 and older has not had a recommended screening mammogram in recent years.

To help you put your mammogram worries to rest, we asked the Community Radiology Associates team at the Mt. Airy Health & Wellness Pavilion to provide some expert advice on what to expect and how you can prepare for success.

Timing is Everything

If you are still menstruating, schedule your mammogram one week after your period. Your breasts should be less tender at that time.

Gather Your Past Images

If you’re going to a new facility, bring any prior mammogram images with you, or have them sent ahead of time. This will allow the radiologist to compare your current exam to past results. Sometimes the most important findings are subtle changes over time.

Dress for Success

Don’t wear deodorant or antiperspirant to the exam, as particles from these products can make the mammogram image harder to read. Do wear a two-piece outfit (think shirt with pants or a skirt). You will be given a robe to wear, but you’ll probably feel more comfortable if you only have to disrobe from the waist up.

Know What to Expect Once You’re In the Room

You and your technician will be the only ones in the room for the mammogram. The technician will help you position each breast on the mammogram machine’s plastic platform, and then lower the machine’s upper plate to press down your breast. Flattening your breast provides a higher quality picture, making it easier to find tumors or other signs of breast cancer.

For a screening mammogram, the technician will take two images of each breast—one from top to bottom and the other from side to side. More images may be taken if you’re getting a diagnostic mammogram. In each case, the exposure to radiation is extremely minimal—the same as a low-dose X-ray.

The whole procedure takes about 15 minutes, and the actual compression only lasts a few seconds. Although some slight discomfort is normal, notify your technician if it becomes painful. If you have concerns about the pain ahead of time, talk to your doctor about taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Tylenol or Advil, before the exam.

Get Your Results

You should receive the results from a screening mammogram within two weeks. For diagnostic mammograms, a radiologist will likely give you the results before you leave the appointment. If you don’t hear from your health care provider, don’t assume your mammogram was normal. Call your provider or the facility. Remember: you are your best advocate for your health.

Community Radiology Associates offers 3-D mammography—as well bone density scans, CT scans, ultrasounds and no-appointment-needed X-rays—at the Mt. Airy Health & Wellness Pavilion (504 East Ridgeville Boulevard). Call 888-601-0943 to make your appointment today.

To explore all of the pavilion’s convenient services—including primary and specialty care providers, lab services, urgent care and physical therapy—go to MtAiryHealth.org now.