Mammography

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mammoWhat is a Mammogram?
A mammogram is a low dose x-ray for the breast.

Why should I have a Mammogram?
A mammogram can detect cancers too small to be felt by the woman or her healthcare provider. Mammograms can also show changes in the breast tissue that could be an indication of a very early breast cancer. When used in conjunction with a physical examination of the breast, mammography has proven to be effective in saving lives.

Certain risk factors for breast cancer are:

  • Being a woman
  • Age
  • Having a close family history of breast cancer (mother, daughter or sister)

What should I do to prepare?
When preparing for the exam, please do not wear deodorant or talcum powder on the day of the exam. When arriving for your appointment, it is very important to have the previous mammogram films with you for our physicians to compare to current films.

Individual images will be taken of the breasts using moderate compression. The more the breast is compressed, the better detail of the breast tissue. Also, it decreases the amount of radiation received, due to the fact that the thinner the breast, the less radiation needed to penetrate the breast. Additional views as well as breast sonography may also be warranted to further study the breast tissue.

How long does the visit take?
The visit itself takes approximately 30-45 minutes including check-in procedures.

When will I get my results?
The films are interpreted by a board-certified radiologist and the results are sent to your referring physician within 24-48 hours in most cases.