How to prepare for a mammogram. What to expect during the exam. Why are yearly mammograms important. How to reduce discomfort during a mammogram. What should you avoid before a mammogram. How long does a mammogram take.

The Importance of Regular Mammograms in Breast Cancer Detection

Mammograms play a crucial role in the early detection of breast cancer, a disease that affects one in eight women in the United States. These screenings can detect tumors in their earliest stages, potentially making the difference between life and death. Regular mammograms are recommended for women starting at age 40, and scheduling them annually is vital for consistent monitoring of breast health.

Optimal Timing: When to Schedule Your Mammogram

Timing is essential when it comes to scheduling your mammogram. It’s best to book your appointment at least one week after your menstrual cycle ends. This is because your period can increase breast tenderness and tissue sensitivity, potentially making the exam more uncomfortable. By scheduling your mammogram during the optimal time in your menstrual cycle, you can ensure a more comfortable experience and potentially clearer results.

Key Points for Scheduling:

• Book at least one week after your last menstrual cycle
• Inform your doctor or technician if there’s any possibility of pregnancy
• Try to schedule your mammogram on or near the same date annually
• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40

Pre-Mammogram Preparations: What to Avoid

Preparing for your mammogram involves more than just scheduling the appointment. There are certain things you should avoid in the days leading up to your exam to ensure the most accurate results.

Caffeine Consumption

Can caffeine affect mammogram results? Yes, it can. It’s advisable to avoid caffeine for a day or two before your mammogram. This includes coffee, energy drinks, and other caffeinated foods and beverages. Caffeine can increase breast tissue tenderness, potentially making the exam more uncomfortable and possibly affecting the clarity of the images.

Personal Care Products

On the day of your mammogram, it’s important to avoid wearing certain personal care products. These include:

• Deodorant
• Perfume
• Lotion

Why should you avoid these products before a mammogram? Some of these products contain aluminum flecks that may show up on your mammogram, making the images more difficult to interpret. By avoiding these products, you’re helping to ensure that your mammogram images are as clear and accurate as possible.

Comfort Measures: Preparing for a More Pleasant Experience

While mammograms are essential for breast health, they can sometimes be uncomfortable. However, there are steps you can take to make the experience more pleasant.

Pain Management

To reduce discomfort during and after your mammogram, consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen one to two hours before your appointment. This can help manage any potential discomfort associated with the exam.

Appropriate Attire

What should you wear to a mammogram? Opt for comfortable clothing, preferably a two-piece outfit. This allows you to easily remove only your top and bra for the examination. Avoid wearing jewelry, or choose pieces that can be quickly and easily removed. You’ll be provided with a hospital gown to wear during the exam, which should be worn with the opening in the front.

Important Documentation: What to Bring to Your Appointment

Proper documentation is crucial for a comprehensive mammogram evaluation. If you’ve had previous mammograms at other facilities, it’s important to bring these records or films to your appointment. By comparing your current results with previous ones, your doctor is better equipped to spot any abnormalities or changes in your breast tissue over time.

Additional Information to Provide

In addition to previous records, it’s important to communicate any changes or abnormalities you’ve noticed during breast self-exams. This information, along with your medical history, aids your doctor in the early detection of breast cancer. Open communication with your technician can lead to more comprehensive and accurate results.

The Mammogram Process: What to Expect During Your Exam

Understanding what happens during a mammogram can help alleviate anxiety and prepare you for the experience. Typically, a mammogram exam takes approximately 30 minutes. During this time, a trained technician will position your breasts for the imaging process.

The Imaging Process

How is a mammogram performed? During the exam, each breast is compressed between two plates to spread out the tissue and obtain a clear image. The compression may feel uncomfortable, but it only lasts for a few seconds for each image. Usually, two views of each breast are taken: one from top to bottom and one from side to side.

After the Exam

What happens after a mammogram? Following the imaging process, a radiologist will review the images and send a report to your doctor. Your doctor will then contact you to discuss the results. It’s important to note that what are sometimes referred to as “suspicious findings” are often benign issues such as cysts, dense breast tissue, or problems with the image quality rather than cancer.

Understanding Mammogram Results: Interpreting the Findings

Receiving mammogram results can be anxiety-inducing, especially if it’s your first exam. It’s crucial to understand that many women have suspicious findings in their first mammogram because there are no previous images for comparison.

BI-RADS Scoring System

What is a BI-RADS score in mammogram results? The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) is a standardized system used to report mammogram results. It categorizes findings on a scale from 0 to 6, with 0 indicating an incomplete assessment and 6 indicating a known malignancy. Understanding your BI-RADS score can help you and your doctor determine the next steps in your breast health journey.

Follow-Up Procedures

If a follow-up mammogram or breast ultrasound is ordered, it’s often out of an abundance of caution rather than a definitive indication of cancer. These additional tests help to clarify any uncertainties from the initial mammogram and provide a more comprehensive view of your breast health.

Technological Advancements in Mammography

The field of mammography has seen significant advancements in recent years, improving the accuracy and comfort of breast cancer screenings.

3D Mammography

What is 3D mammography and how does it differ from traditional mammograms? Also known as breast tomosynthesis, 3D mammography creates a three-dimensional picture of the breast using X-rays. This technology allows doctors to examine breast tissue layer by layer, making it easier to detect and diagnose breast cancer, especially in women with dense breast tissue.

Contrast-Enhanced Mammography

Contrast-enhanced mammography is another emerging technology that can provide additional information in certain cases. This technique involves injecting a contrast agent before the mammogram, which can help highlight areas of increased blood flow that may indicate the presence of cancer.

The Role of Supplementary Breast Cancer Screening Methods

While mammograms are the gold standard for breast cancer screening, they are sometimes used in conjunction with other methods for a more comprehensive evaluation.

Breast Ultrasound

When is a breast ultrasound recommended after a mammogram? Breast ultrasound is often used as a follow-up test after an abnormal mammogram. It’s particularly useful for distinguishing between solid masses and fluid-filled cysts, which can appear similar on a mammogram.

Breast MRI

Breast MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) may be recommended for women at high risk of breast cancer or when further evaluation of mammogram findings is needed. This test uses magnetic fields to create detailed images of breast tissue and can detect some cancers that may not be visible on a mammogram.

Lifestyle Factors and Breast Health

While regular mammograms are crucial for early detection of breast cancer, maintaining overall breast health involves various lifestyle factors.

Nutrition and Exercise

How can diet and exercise impact breast health? A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, combined with regular physical activity, can help maintain a healthy weight and potentially reduce breast cancer risk. Some studies suggest that regular exercise may lower estrogen levels, which could decrease the risk of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers.

Limiting Alcohol and Tobacco Use

Research has shown that limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding tobacco use can positively impact breast health. Even moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, while smoking is associated with various health risks, including breast cancer.

Genetic Factors and Breast Cancer Risk

Understanding your genetic risk for breast cancer can play a crucial role in determining your screening schedule and potential preventive measures.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genes

What are BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and how do they affect breast cancer risk? These are human genes that produce tumor suppressor proteins. When these genes are mutated, they can significantly increase a person’s risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Women who carry mutations in these genes may be recommended to start mammogram screenings at an earlier age or undergo more frequent screenings.

Genetic Testing and Counseling

For individuals with a family history of breast cancer, genetic testing and counseling may be recommended. This process can help identify potential genetic mutations and guide decisions about screening frequency and preventive measures.

Overcoming Barriers to Mammogram Screening

Despite the importance of regular mammograms, various barriers can prevent women from getting screened as recommended.

Fear and Anxiety

How can women overcome fear and anxiety related to mammograms? Education about the procedure, open communication with healthcare providers, and support from friends and family can help alleviate these concerns. Remember, the brief discomfort of a mammogram is far outweighed by its potential to detect cancer early when it’s most treatable.

Access and Affordability

For some women, access to mammography services or concerns about cost can be significant barriers. Many healthcare facilities offer low-cost or free mammograms, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Additionally, the Affordable Care Act requires most health insurance plans to cover mammograms every one to two years for women over 40 without any out-of-pocket costs.

The Future of Breast Cancer Detection

As technology advances, the future of breast cancer detection looks promising, with potential improvements in both accuracy and patient experience.

Artificial Intelligence in Mammography

How is artificial intelligence changing mammography? AI algorithms are being developed to assist radiologists in interpreting mammograms. These tools have the potential to improve accuracy and efficiency in breast cancer detection, potentially leading to earlier diagnoses and better outcomes.

Personalized Screening Approaches

The future of breast cancer screening may involve more personalized approaches based on individual risk factors. This could include tailored screening schedules and the use of multiple imaging modalities to provide a more comprehensive assessment of breast health.

In conclusion, mammograms remain a crucial tool in the early detection of breast cancer. By understanding how to prepare for your mammogram, what to expect during the exam, and the importance of regular screenings, you can take an active role in maintaining your breast health. Remember, early detection saves lives, and a mammogram is a key step in that process.

Preparing for a Mammogram – Baptist Health

Getting a mammogram takes less time than the average coffee break. And, for one in every eight U.S. women who will develop breast cancer, a mammogram can mean the difference between life and death because it detects tumors in the earliest stages.

To ensure that you’re comfortable when getting a mammogram and that the process goes smoothly, there are steps you should take to prepare. Mammogram prep is especially important for women who are having their first exam.

To best prepare for your mammogram exam, follow these helpful tips:

• Scheduling your mammogram appointment. Schedule your mammogram at least one week after your last menstrual cycle. Your period can increase breast tenderness and tissue sensitivity, which can make your test uncomfortable. Inform your doctor or mammogram technician if there’s any possibility that you’re pregnant. Schedule your mammogram on or near the same date annually to make sure you don’t let a year – or two – slip by without making an appointment. Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40.
• Avoid caffeine before a mammogram. Don’t drink coffee, energy drinks or other caffeinated foods and beverages a day or two before the exam. Caffeine can increase breast tissue tenderness.
• Mammograms and deodorant. Avoid wearing deodorant, perfume or lotion the day of your mammogram. Aluminum flecks contained in some of these products may show up on your mammogram, making the images more difficult to interpret.
• Take a pain reliever. Reduce any discomfort during and after your mammogram by taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen one to two hours before your appointment.
• Wear comfortable clothing. Preferably a two-piece outfit so that you only have to remove your top and bra for the examination. Avoid wearing jewelry or wear jewelry that can be quickly and easily removed. You’ll be given a hospital gown, wear it with the opening in the front.
• Arrive with your records. Bring any records or films from previous mammograms performed at other facilities. By comparing them with your current results, your doctor is more likely to spot any abnormalities.
• Talk to your technician. Let your technician know of any changes or abnormalities you’ve felt during breast self-exams. This information, along with your medical history, will aid your doctor in early detection of breast cancer.

What to Expect When Getting a Mammogram

If this is your first time, you may wonder what to expect during a mammogram. Your mammogram exam should take approximately 30 minutes. A radiologist will then review the images and send a report to your doctor, who’ll contact you to discuss the results. Keep in mind that what are sometimes referred to as “suspicious findings” are things like cysts, dense breast tissue or a problem with the image produced by the test rather than cancer.

Many women have suspicious finding in their first mammogram because their doctor has no previous image to which to compare the results. If a follow-up mammogram or breast ultrasound is ordered, it may be simply out of an abundance of caution.

Learn more about Baptist Health cancer care services and schedule a mammogram today.

Learn More.

Categories

• Cancer Care
• Womens Care
• Baptist Health

Tags:

• Breast Cancer
• Breast Tenderness
• Cancer Screening
• Mammogram
• Mammograms

Related Blog Articles

• 
  

  Preparing for Your Mammogram Appointment

  
  
  Learn More

  
  

• 
  

  Mammogram Results: What Is a BI-RADS Score?

  
  
  Learn More

  
  

• 
  

  Importance of Early Mammogram Screenings in Paducah, KY

  
  
  Learn More

  
  

Let’s Stay in Touch

Sign up to receive Baptist Health emails to learn more about your health from our blog, e-newsletter, and Flourish. Or follow one of our social media accounts.

Sign Me Up

What Not To Do Before A Mammogram

1. DON’T apply deodorant before your mammogram.
   Also refrain from using perfume, lotion, creams, and any other substance on and around your breasts, including under your arms! These can show up in the mammogram screenings as white spots, causing inaccurate readings. Feel free to bring these with you to apply after the exam. If you forget, no need to worry, but our staff will ask you to wipe it off prior to the mammogram.
2. DON’T wear a dress or one-piece outfit.
   It’s best to wear two pieces (pants/skirt with a top) so you can keep your bottoms on during the exam.
3. DON’T go right before or during your period.
   Your breasts may be more tender/swollen around this time, which can cause extra discomfort during the mammogram. If you’re premenopausal, the best time to go is about a week after your period.
4. DON’T consume caffeine products (coffee, chocolate) several days up to two weeks before the appointment.
   Although this will not affect your mammogram results (so no worries if you do accidentally have some), it could cause breast tenderness for women who are sensitive to caffeine.
5. DON’T worry if you’ve had prior mammograms at other facilities.
   No need to bring anything – our staff can get your previous records and films for you.
6. DON’T worry about getting a doctor referral or prescription.
   At PURE Mammography, no prescription is needed for a screening mammogram. However, our staff will request the name of your health care provider to send a copy of your mammogram results to.
7. DON’T be scared!
   Although some women may feel some pain during a mammogram screening, most women only feel a slight discomfort. Additionally, you don’t need to worry about radiation exposure, which is minimal. The peace of mind you’ll get knowing that you’re protecting yourself from a late stage cancer diagnosis is worth the discomfort!

What you CAN and SHOULD do before your mammogram screening

1. DO eat!
   There’s no need to fast before a mammogram, as it will not affect the results. Feel free to eat, drink, and take medication.
2. DO let your mammogram technologist know of anything that may affect your breast cancer risk.
   This may include breast changes, medical history, family history, etc.
3. DO take an OTC pain medicine (if you want).
   Feel free to take Advil, Ibuprofen, etc. if you’re worried about pain or have experienced pain during past mammograms. However, at PURE Mammography, our technicians are very gentle and try to make mammograms as painless and comfortable as possible.
4. DO choose an experienced and certified mammogram facility, such as PURE Mammography!
   We are an American College of Radiology (ACR) accredited facility and an ACR Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. PURE Mammography specializes in performing 3D mammograms, so you can be sure that our staff will make your screening experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible. We are located in the Smith Haven Mall on Long Island, so you’re free to make an appointment beforehand or simply drop by during your shopping trip.

Read what our patients are saying!

So easy! Very nice employees! The waiting room was like a spa with comfy club chairs and a flat screen video showing relaxing ocean waves on a beach. The radiologist was very professional and polite. My husband didn’t mind sitting in the waiting room especially since he was served coffee. Lol. Total time there was 20 mins. I left feeling very good in having accomplished something very important for my health.– Valerie R.

Click here to read more reviews.
Schedule an appointment at our spa-like mammography center by calling 631-652-3424 or by filling out the form on this page.

Related Materials:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Tour Our Facility
Patient Testimonials
Spa-Like Experience
About PURE Mammography

Pre-Schedule an Appointment

sign up for a digital examination at the SOVA clinic

✔ mammography in Volgograd on modern equipment;
✔ diagnosis of breast pathologies at the earliest stage;
✔ low radiation exposure to the body;
✔ Write image to digital media.

Make an appointment

Choose a doctor

Reviews

Mammography (two mammary glands in two projections)

2200 ₽

Sign up

Mammography, 1 breast, in two projections

1150 ₽

Sign up

Benefits of contacting the SOVA clinic:

✔ Diagnostics and consultation of an experienced mammologist.
✔ Detection of neoplasms from 3-5 mm in size.
✔ Equipment that allows you to get high-quality projections with minimal radiation exposure.
✔ Diagnosis accuracy.
✔ The opportunity to pass a unique study – ductography.

This type of examination is a non-invasive and painless x-ray method that is used to detect diseases of the mammary glands, the “gold standard” for cancer diagnosis. Thanks to a timely examination, it is possible to detect a tumor at a very early stage, even before it is determined by palpation. In this regard, the probability of complete recovery reaches 90%.

We suggest that you timely undergo a digital mammography at the SOVA clinic. We have created comfortable conditions for the examination: the procedure lasts several minutes, and the pictures in two projections and the doctor’s conclusion will be in your hands on the same day.

When to make an appointment

This type of x-ray examination is recommended if you find the following symptoms:

• discharge from the nipples, not associated with lactation;

• change or enlargement of the mammary glands;

• pain, seals, palpable nodes;

• enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit;

• “retraction” of the nipples;

• deformations, wrinkling and other skin changes in the chest area.

Mammography is performed not only for the diagnosis of the disease, but for preventive purposes, when the patient has no worries and complaints. A routine examination is performed for women over 40 years old – at least once every two years, after 50 years – annually. Screening is also indicated for women planning surgical correction of the mammary glands.

Contraindications:

For patients under 40 years of age, the examination is performed if there are indications, which are determined by the oncologist-mammologist.

Features

The method allows to detect a number of pathologies at the initial stage. Among them:

• benign formations of the mammary glands: fibroadenomas, cysts, and so on;

• fibrocystic mastopathy;

• inflammatory diseases;

• malignant neoplasms.

In the oncological process, mammography can be used to monitor the dynamics of tumor growth, thereby controlling its development and the effectiveness of treatment.

Get advice by phone or make an appointment

Enroll

Equipment

In the medical center “SOVA” a mammograph of the expert class Planmed, manufactured in Finland, is installed. Today it is one of the most powerful tools for high-precision diagnosis of breast diseases. A feature of the installation is excellent image detail and reduction of radiation doses to a minimum. During the examination, the patient feels comfortable. For maximum efficiency, images are taken in two standard projections: direct and oblique, if necessary, additional manipulations are prescribed by the radiologist. This allows in the future to accurately determine the localization of the pathological formation.

Make an appointment

Digital mammography at the SOVA clinic in Volgograd

The examination is carried out on an outpatient basis and is usually prescribed after taking an anamnesis and a preliminary examination by a mammologist.

Preparation

It is recommended to undergo a study on the fifth to twelfth day of the menstrual cycle. During this period, the mammary glands are not enlarged and less sensitive, the tissues are soft. It is undesirable to apply deodorants, antiperspirants, lotions, sprays, as well as products containing talc to the skin in the armpit. Avoid caffeinated foods on the day of your procedure, as this can make your breasts more sensitive.

So that nothing causes discomfort during the process, choose separate underwear and remove jewelry in advance. Take with you a medical card with data on previous examinations and the conclusions of doctors, if any. In advance, write a list of questions you want to ask the radiologist. Remember if there was a history of breast cancer in the family: this information is very important for making a diagnosis.

How the procedure works

When performing digital mammography, you must undress to the waist and stand on the footboard of the unit. Stay still. The radiologist will perform the laying of the mammary glands and conduct a series of standard mammograms, at the time of taking the picture, the breast will be pressed with a special compression plate. The stronger the compression, the better the resulting image and the lower the radiation dose. Unpleasant sensations during the procedure are minimized, soreness can occur only in some cases.

The whole process takes no more than 15 minutes. Radiographs can be printed on film or recorded on digital media.

A type of examination is ductography – the study of the ducts of the mammary glands. The essence of the method: a contrast agent containing iodine is injected through a thin catheter. The technique allows you to determine the pathological processes in the milk ducts. The procedure is also available in our clinic, it is prescribed by an oncologist-mammologist, subject to the necessary conditions.

Make an appointment

To undergo a study with a therapeutic or prophylactic purpose, contact the SOVA medical center at 59B Lenina Avenue. You can find out the exact price of mammography and other diagnostic services by phone or on the website. In addition, it is convenient to make an appointment with us indicating the desired date and time through the online form – we will call you back to clarify the data.

Get advice by phone or make an appointment

Enroll

What should you know about caffeine? — HealthInfo

Let’s face it, everyone knows firsthand about the miraculous properties of caffeine: it will help you wake up in the morning, be alert during the day, and in general, enhances performance.

According to the FDA, 90% of people worldwide use some form of caffeine, and in the US, 80% of adults eat or drink a caffeinated product daily.

If you, the reader, are a woman, remember that every cup of coffee can affect the health of your breasts, since caffeine dilates blood vessels, as a result of which you may feel soreness and swelling of the mammary glands, as during the period of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) .

Naturally, no one wants to suffer from PMS symptoms every day. The study found that 61% of women who cut down on coffee consumption had pain relief.

There are some more interesting facts about caffeine, which we will cover below.

Caffeine can aggravate PMS

A University of Oregon study found that coffee consumption has a huge impact on PMS symptoms: the more coffee you drink, the more you suffer from symptoms. The reason for this phenomenon is that caffeine causes anxiety, which is the cause of stress, and stress, in turn, increases the intensity of PMS.

Symptoms of PMS, including tenderness and tightness of the mammary glands, appear 1-2 weeks before menstruation, beginning at the time of ovulation and continuing until the onset of the menstrual cycle. If you add in your daily coffee intake, you are literally playing with fire.

Therefore, if PMS is bothering you and you want to ease it, we advise you to avoid caffeine, and this applies not only to coffee, but also to chocolate.

Fibrocystic mastopathy

This disease is accompanied by the formation of changes in the mammary gland tissues in the form of nodules and bumps. More than half of the women surveyed observed fibrotic changes in themselves – this is a benign condition that sooner or later leads to bumps in the chest. In general, these changes are harmless, except that they cause soreness and tightness of the mammary glands.

What does caffeine have to do with all this? Evidence from several studies agrees that caffeine may increase the pain and tightness in the chest associated with fibrocystic breast disease. Just like eating chocolate, the pain can become more intense.

It is important to remember that neither coffee nor chocolate causes disease.

Misinterpreting mammograms

Breast cancer control scientists have reported that mammograms can become almost unreadable in coffee drinkers. Why? As a result of excessive caffeine consumption, cysts similar to cancerous growths can form in the breasts, these cysts can even mask the manifestations of cancer.