It’s one of the most important cancer screenings for women. Here’s everything you need to know about the exam.
If you have your annual mammogram on your calendar, good for you. You’re taking advantage of one of the safest and most accurate breast cancer screenings. The procedure is credited with decreasing breast cancer mortality in the United States by almost 40% since 1990.
Mammograms can find breast cancer early, when it’s easier to treat. That’s why most providers advocate strongly for them.
Whether it’s your first mammogram or your 20th, here’s what you should know.
A mammogram is a breast X-ray. It’s used for screening and diagnosis. The first images are what's known as a baseline. They serve as a reference point for future comparisons.
Women ages 40 to 74 who have an average risk for breast cancer should get a mammogram every two years, recommends the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Some women have higher risk factors and need to be on a different schedule. So talk to your provider about the schedule that’s right for you, based on your health and family history. In their lifetime, one in eight American women develop breast cancer.
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There are steps you can take to help things go more smoothly.
If you’re premenopausal, plan around your menstrual cycle. You may have less discomfort and tenderness if you’re screened a week or so after your period.
If this isn’t your first mammogram but you’re going to a new facility, ask to have your prior tests sent in advance. You can also ask for and bring a CD of the images. Having your past results gives the radiologist a basis for comparison.
Understand the screening options. Today’s mammograms are done digitally. That means the image is stored as an electronic file on a computer. There are two options:
Many studies have shown that 3D screenings reduce the need for follow-up imaging. They also appear to find more breast cancers, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). A large study is underway to compare the outcomes of 2D versus 3D mammograms.
Dress in comfortable clothes. You’ll need to undress from the waist up and put on a gown. So plan to wear a top with pants or a skirt. You’ll also have to remove any necklaces.
Skip the deodorant, creams, and lotions. Any product on or near the chest area can interfere with the X-ray pictures. You’ll be asked to avoid them before your exam.
“The small amount of aluminum in antiperspirants can make it hard to distinguish between breast calcifications that may be problematic and metallic particles in the deodorant,” says Dr. Zorn. Creams and lotions can cause the same problem.
Inform the technician. Let them know if you:
It’s important to mention skin abnormalities too. “Moles, growths, or scars can complicate reading the mammogram. You’ll want to point them out for the technician to mark,” says Dr. Zorn. Otherwise, they could be seen as suspicious.
The procedure takes less than half an hour. You’ll stand in front of a special X-ray machine. A technician will position your breast on the machine. Then a plastic plate will be lowered to compress your breast. This evens out the thickness. It allows for better visualization. It also prevents motion that could blur the image.
You’ll be asked to hold your breath and remain still for a few seconds while the image is processed. Most full tests involve several pictures. They are taken from above and from the sides of both breasts.
Then you’ll wait while the technician confirms that the pictures are clear. Sometimes, dense breast tissue “folds” on itself. This creates an inexact image. It requires an additional picture. It’s not a cause for alarm.
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Keep in mind that your technician can’t give you the results of the test. You can head home or back to work once it’s over. Here’s what you can expect next.
Get the results. By law, all patients must receive written exam results within 30 days. Most hear from their doctor far earlier than that. If not, call and ask for the findings.
Ask questions. Do you have any concerns? Raise them with your doctor. Also, make sure you’re informed about the basic characteristics of your breasts.
Your report should include information about breast density. It should say “not dense” or “dense.” Women who have dense breasts have a higher risk of breast cancer, according to the ACS.
Don’t panic if your results are unusual. Sometimes the results are inconclusive. You’ll be asked to come back for more tests. It’s important to know that most breast changes found on a mammogram are not cancer.
In some cases, the issue is related to the quality of the pictures. Even when something is detected, it’s far more likely to be a harmless cyst, dense breast tissue, or a benign calcium deposit than anything serious.
No matter what the results are, it’s important to track your breast health at home too. Get to know how your breasts look and feel at different times of the month. Pay attention to any changes. And inform your doctor if something concerns you.
Article sources:
Mammogram statistic: American College of Radiology
Screening recommendations: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; American Cancer Society
Lifetime breast cancer risk statistic: American Cancer Society
Screening options: National Cancer Institute
Results: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Breast density: American Cancer Society
