Women's Health: Mammogram

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Risks

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Follow your doctor's instructions for follow-up care.
• Continue to do your monthly breast self-exams.

Call Your Doctor If...

• You have questions or concerns about your care.

IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE HOSPITAL...

Before You Go

• You may feel nervous, scared, or upset before having a mammogram. Let your doctor and the technician doing the mammogram know that you have these concerns.
• Do not put deodorant, powder, or lotion on your breasts or under your arms before the test. These may prevent the x-rays from turning out correctly.
• Wear a two-piece outfit, since you will have to remove clothing from the waist-up. You will wear a hospital gown during the test. Do not wear jewelry around your neck.

When You Arrive

• Tell the technician doing the mammogram if you have breast implants. Extra care is needed to do the test.
• You will sit or stand next to a small x-ray table. The care giver doing the test will help you place one of your breasts on the x-ray plate. Your breast will be moved until the correct position has been found.
• Your breast will be gently flattened between 2 plastic plates for a few seconds. Flattening of your breast is important to find lumps. It may feel uncomfortable, but should not hurt.
• You will be asked to hold your breath while the x-ray is taken. Another x-ray will be taken of the same breast after the position of the x-ray machine has been changed.
• Your other breast will be x-rayed the same way.
• The mammogram will take about 10 to 15 minutes. If you have breast implants, it will take 20 to 30 minutes.
• You can return to normal activities when the test is done.
• You will get the test results in a few days.