Mammograms are X-ray pictures of your breast. The pictures help detect breast cancer. A mammogram allows the doctor to have a closer look at changes in breast tissue that cannot be felt during a breast exam.
During a screening or diagnostic mammogram, radiologists will look at X-rays for breast changes that look abnormal and for differences in each breast. They will compare past mammograms. The doctor will also look for lumps and calcifications.
The Sentara Cancer Network's guidelines for screening a person at average risk for breast cancer are:
- Women, beginning at age 40, should have annual mammograms, after an informed decision with their health care provider, based on personal and family history.
- Screening should continue provided the woman is in good health and expected to live 10 years or longer.
Among all breast cancers, 1 in 6 is diagnosed in women in their 40s and 75% of all breast cancers arise in women with no significant family history. Screening mammography offers the greatest chance at detecting cancer at an earlier stage. Early detection can mean a quicker recovery and better quality of life.
Following your mammogram, the breast center may notify you that you have dense breasts. Breast tissue is made of fatty and connective tissue.
Dense breasts have less fat and more connective tissue. When a woman has dense breasts, small cancers are harder to find on a mammogram.
If you have dense breasts:
- Schedule a mammogram every year.
- Know your family history of breast cancer.
- Do monthly breast exams.
- Follow recommendations for having a clinical breast exam every three years from age 20 to 40 and yearly after age 40.
- Confirm your mammogram is done using digital mammography, which is the case at Sentara. Data suggests digital mammography is more effective for women with dense breasts.
- Discuss lifestyle changes with your physician to decrease your risk for developing breast cancer.
If your breasts are tender or swollen the week before your period, avoid scheduling your mammogram during that time. Doing so can help you avoid some discomfort. The best time for a mammogram is one week after your period. Always inform your doctor or X-ray technologist if you might be pregnant.
The American Cancer Society also recommends you:
- 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.
- Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the exam.
- If possible, obtain prior mammograms and make them available to the radiologist at the time of the current exam.
Save time on the day of your appointment. Print and complete our Mammogram Questionnaire and bring it along to your appointment.
If you have breast implants, please tell us when you schedule your exam. Implants can hide some breast tissue, making it harder for the radiologist to see a concern, so they may need to take extra images.
During your mammography appointment, a specially qualified radiologic tech will position your breast in the mammography unit. Your breast will be placed on a special platform and compressed with a paddle (often made of clear Plexiglas or other plastic). The tech will gradually compress your breast.
Some women with sensitive breasts may experience discomfort. If this is the case, schedule the procedure a week after your period, when your breasts are usually the least tender. Be sure to inform the technologist if pain occurs as compression is increased. If discomfort is significant, less compression will be used.
Breast compression during a mammogram is necessary to:
- Even out the breast thickness so that all the tissue can be visualized
- Spread out the tissue so small abnormalities are less likely to be obscured by overlying breast tissue
- Allow the use of a lower X-ray dose since a thinner amount of breast tissue is being imaged
- Hold the breast still to minimize blurring of the image caused by motion
- Reduce X-ray scatter to increase sharpness of picture
You will be asked to change positions between images. The routine views are a top-to-bottom view and an angled side view. The process will be repeated for the other breast.
You must hold still and may be asked to keep from breathing for a few seconds while the X-ray picture is taken to reduce the possibility of a blurred image.
The mammogram screening process should take about 30 minutes.
Yes. As part of the Affordable Care Act, health plans include coverage for annual screening mammograms without copay or deductible for women 40 and older. If you do not have any type of health coverage, please contact the financial counselor at one of our Comprehensive Breast Centers.
A mammogram is a type of X-ray, so there is a small amount of radiation. No data show that radiation from screening mammograms can cause breast cancer.
While at your mammogram, ask when your results will be available. Do not assume the results are normal if you do not hear from your doctor or the mammogram facility.
A radiologist will analyze the images and send a signed report to your primary care or referring physician, who will discuss the results with you.
If your mammogram results were abnormal, a breast change was found. The change may be benign (not cancer), premalignant (may become cancer), or cancer. Keep in mind that most breast changes are not cancer. But all changes need to be checked, and more tests may be needed, such as a diagnostic screening.