Mammograms

A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray of your breasts. It's the most common imaging test. A mammogram can find cancer or other problems early, before a lump can be felt. It can also help diagnose other breast problems. A biopsy is needed to know for sure if you have cancer.

Health experts have different advice for when to get mammograms:

• The USPSTF recommends screening every two years for women ages 50 to 74.
• The ACS recommends yearly screening for all women ages 45 to 54. Women ages 55 and older should change to mammograms every two years. Or they may choose to still have a yearly screening.

The benefits and limits of a mammogram vary. Women should talk with their doctor about their personal risk factors before making a decision about when to start and how often to get a mammogram. Both the National Cancer Institute and the ACS suggest that women who may be at greater risk for breast cancer should talk with their health care providers about whether to begin having mammograms at an earlier age. Depending on the level of risk, a breast MRI may also be done along with mammograms.

What is a Mammogram?

A mammogram detects tumors and calcium deposits in the breast. Most calcium deposits are not cancer. But a cluster of very tiny specks of calcium (microcalcifications) can be an early sign of breast cancer.

Although a mammogram is the best way to find breast cancer early, it may not always detect cancer. And in some cases, it may find an abnormality that turns out not to be cancer—what’s known as a false positive. Some people worry about the radiation exposure, but the levels are about the same as those you'd be exposed to during a flight from New York to California.

What to Expect When Getting a Mammogram

Mammograms are quick and easy, though the test itself may be uncomfortable. You undress from the waist up, covering your upper body with a wrap provided by your doctor. Then you stand in front of an X-ray machine. Tell the staff if you have trouble standing so they can help make you more comfortable. A technician, usually a woman, will help position your breast on the X-ray plates. The plates squeeze together to flatten the breast so that the X-ray machine can get a clear picture of the breast tissue. The pressure of the plates may pinch a little, and the positioning of your body can be uncomfortable, but it usually lasts for only a few seconds. Tell the technician how you feel and she will help you find a position that is as comfortable as possible. The whole process lasts about 20 minutes.

How to Prepare

You'll be more comfortable if you schedule your mammogram about a week after your period. Your breasts may be tender during menstruation and the time leading up to it, which can make the test more uncomfortable.

To make sure that you get the most reliable results, follow these tips:

• Don't wear deodorant or body powder on the day of your mammogram. It can show up as dark spots on the X-rays and interfere with the radiologist's ability to check the condition of your breasts.
• Stand perfectly still during the mammogram. If you move, the results might be blurry, and then you'll need to have those pictures taken again.
• If you've had previous mammograms or biopsies at another facility, bring a list of the dates and locations where these were done. If possible, bring the actual mammograms themselves. It's a good idea to get these from your old facility if you decide to switch to a new one.
• Choose your mammography facility with care. Your facility should have a prominently posted FDA certificate stating that it meets the required standards of safety and quality. If it doesn't, you have every right to ask to see it. If they don't have this certificate, go somewhere else. Try to have your mammograms at the same facility each year. The longer a facility does your screening, the more familiar they are with your records, and the more likely they are to catch any changes.

You should have the results within 10 days. If there's a problem, you'll hear from the doctor within 5 working days. If you don't hear anything, don't assume that no news is good news. Follow up. If your mammogram shows anything abnormal, you may need more tests.