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Mammograms
Mammography uses low energy X-rays and very sensitive film to generate images of the breast for early detection of breast cancer. Many small cancers exhibit tiny calcifications or are seen as small nodules. Subtle changes in breast tissue on mammography, called architectural distortion, may also indicate cancer. Radiologists search mammograms carefully for these changes and can be helped by a computer aided detector, which independently scans the mammogram and can target these findings as well.
How to Prepare
| 1. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. |
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| 2. Report to your physician any prior surgeries, hormone use, and family or personal history of breast cancer. | |
| 3. Do not schedule your mammogram for the week before your period if your breasts are usually tender during the time. The best time for a mammogram is one week following your period. | |
| 4. Report to your physician if there is any possibility that you are pregnant. | |
| 5. Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the exam. These can appear on the mammogram as calcium spots. | |
| 6. Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the scan. | |
| 7. If possible, obtain prior mammograms and make them available to the radiologist at the time of the current exam. | |
| 8. Ask when your results will be available; do not assume the results are normal if you do not hear from your doctor or the mammography facility. |
What to Expect
Mammography is performed on an outpatient basis. During mammography, a specially qualified radiologic technologist will position your breast in the mammography unit. Your breast will be placed on a special platform and compressed with a paddle. The technologist will gradually compress your breast in order to better visualize all of the tissue to be examined. This will exert pressure and may cause some discomfort. Be sure to inform the technologist if pain occurs so less compression is used. The patient must hold very still and may be asked to keep from breathing for a few seconds while the x-ray is taken. The entire exam will take about 30 minutes. Once complete, the patient will be asked to wait until the technologist determines that the images are of high enough quality.
For more information about Mammography, please visit www.radiologyinfo.org.
