How to make prepping for a mammogram a little bit easier

Getting ready for your first screening mammogram can be a little scary. However, with a bit of preparation, the exam can be much less stressful. Below, learn what happens during a mammogram from BJC HealthCare mammogram-focused radiology technologists, the professionals who perform mammograms every day.

A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray image of the breast that can help detect breast cancer and other breast diseases. Mammograms are routine — asymptomatic women without a family history of breast cancer should start getting the screening annually beginning at age 40 — and with breast cancer, early intervention is key. Breast cancer that is detected early and hasn’t spread has a five-year relative survival rate of 99%. Mammograms are essential to this early detection.

A screening mammogram is recommended for women: 

• Yearly

• For those ages 40 and over

• Who are not experiencing breast issues 

• Who haven’t been sent by a provider for additional imaging

A diagnostic mammogram is recommended for women who have a clinical complaint such as a lump, localized breast pain, nipple discharge or recent breast skin changes.

Remember that monthly breast self-exams are also an important part of preventive health, and women ages 25-39 should receive a breast exam from their ob/gyn every one to three years. If you don’t have a provider, find a BJC HealthCare doctor accepting new patients.

Once you’ve arrived at your mammogram appointment, you’ll undress from the waist up and change into a gown. If you wore any antiperspirants, lotions or powders, you will be asked to wipe them off before the exam begins.

A mammography technologist will place one of your breasts on the imaging machine, and they’ll compress your breast. The machine will take images of your breast from different angles, and then the technologist will repeat this process with your other breast. The exposure will last only a few seconds, and the overall procedure will last 15-20 minutes.

Compression is a key component in capturing good images of your breasts. You may feel pressure during the mammogram, but it shouldn’t be painful. Talk to your technologist if anything is causing pain during the imaging, because they can adjust to make it more comfortable for you.

The American Cancer Society offers these additional tips for preparing for a mammogram:

• Speak with your provider prior to your appointment about any changes to your health or concerns about your medical history. 

• Choose an imaging facility that specializes in mammograms and completes several screenings a day, such as a BJC HealthCare imaging facility. Also, return to the same facility each year so providers can compare the mammograms year over year.

• If it’s your first time going to a facility, bring a list of previous places and dates of mammograms, biopsies and other breast procedures you’ve had. Bring records of mammograms you’ve had at other facilities. 

• Plan to bring these documents to your appointment: proof of identification, such as a driver’s license or government-issued ID card; proof of address, if required by your mammogram facility; health insurance card or policy information, if applicable; household income information (if you are receiving a free or low-cost mammogram, you may be required to provide documentation of your household income).

• Only schedule your mammogram when your breasts aren’t tender or swollen and avoid the week before your period. This will help lessen pain and get good images.

• Ask your doctor about over-the-counter pain reliever you can take an hour before your exam to make the mammogram more comfortable.

• Don’t wear anything around your neck, including jewelry. 

• Don’t wear deodorant, lotions, creams or any other products under your arms or your breasts the day of your exam because the products can show up as white spots on the images.

• Wear a skirt or pants, so you’ll only need to remove your top and bra for the mammogram.

Schedule a mammogram today. For more information about breast cancer, its risk factors, how to reduce your risk of the disease and symptoms to watch out for, see our story here.