8 Things to Expect at Your First Mammogram

If you’ve never had a mammogram, you may not know quite what to expect the first time. Don’t let fear of the unknown cause you to miss out on the important health information that mammography screening provides. While getting a mammogram may not be at the top of anyone’s list of favorite things to do, it’s a really quick and easy procedure that could help to save your life. Understanding what’s involved in a mammography visit can help alleviate any anxiety you may be feeling and make the whole experience more comfortable.

1. You’ll be asked about your medical history.

Before the exam, you’ll be asked about your medical history, including any personal or family history of breast cancer, current and past medications (especially hormonal medications such as for birth control or fertility), surgeries, and any current breast symptoms. As with any X-ray exam, you’ll also be asked if there is any chance that you may be pregnant. If you’re not sure of your family history, collect any information you can before your appointment. It can also be helpful to make notes about your recent medication usage as well as long-term use of hormonal medications so you have dates, drug names, and dosages to provide at your visit.

2. You won’t be able to wear deodorant.

Don’t wear deodorant, antiperspirant, lotions, powders, or perfumes under your arms or around your breasts to your appointment. These types of products can interfere with mammography images. Make sure you’ve cleaned off any residual products prior to your exam. You may find it easiest to schedule for early in the morning (after your shower) and apply deodorant right after your appointment. If you should happen to forget, we provide wipes to remove deodorant and aerosol deodorant for your convenience. 

3. You’ll be asked to remove all clothing from the waist up.

Wearing separates, such a skirt or pants and an easily removable top, allows you to remain half dressed during your appointment. When you get dressed in the morning, choose a comfortable outfit that’s easy to get in and out of.

4. The technologist will touch your breasts.

The mammography technologist will have to handle your breasts in order to position them correctly for imaging. This involves less touching, however, than a clinical breast exam, which you may have had done at your primary care physician’s or gynecologist’s office. Facilities that routinely provide women’s imaging services understand that many female patients feel more comfortable with female technologists, so feel free to ask who will be performing your exam and request a tech who can best put you at ease.

5. Your breasts will be squished.

Your breasts will be compressed between the imaging plates in order to spread out the tissue to get the best possible images. Many women find this somewhat uncomfortable, and some describe it as painful. However, pain should not be significant; if it is, tell the technologist so she can reposition you. Compression only lasts a few seconds for each view, and any pain that is experienced typically subsides fairly quickly. To reduce discomfort during your mammogram,

• Avoid scheduling your appointment for right before your period, when your breasts are more likely to be swollen and tender. Many women find the first two weeks of their menstrual cycle or the one week immediately following their period to be the most comfortable time for a mammogram.
• Avoid or limiting caffeine before your appointment. Many women report that even small amounts of caffeine can contribute to breast tenderness.
• If you anticipate a high level of discomfort, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever 30 minutes to an hour before your appointment can minimize it.

6. You may need additional images taken.

Although a mammogram requires two views of each breast, the technologists may take additional images to make sure the radiologist has high quality images to examine. If you have breast implants, then the technologist will need to take at least four views of each breast. The radiation dose involved in mammography is very low, however, so additional images do not pose a significant health risk.

7. You won’t know your results right away.

As with any imaging exam, the technologist is responsible for performing the procedure, and a radiologist reads the images and interprets the results after it’s complete. Iowa Radiology will send a report of your results to your referring physician within one business day as well as a letter to you, which you should receive within one week. If additional tests are needed, our office will call you to schedule them.

8. You might be called back for more tests.

10% of women are called back after a mammogram, but only 8–10% of them need biopsies, and 80% of those breast biopsies return normal results. Even if you’re called back, odds are very good that you don’t have breast cancer.

Iowa Radiology strives to make our patients as comfortable as possible, both by being an educational resource and by providing compassionate, personalized care at our facilities. Click here to schedule your annual mammogram at one of our clinics in Ankeny, Clive, or downtown Des Moines. As an American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, Iowa Radiology is accredited in a full range of breast imaging services, including ultrasound, MRI, and ultrasound-guided and sterotactic breast biopsy. If you still have unanswered questions about mammography, click below to download our free eBook.