For the answers to frequently asked questions about mammograms, click here. 

What is it?  
Mammography is a low dose X-ray that is used to take images of the breasts. Doctors use it to help detect and diagnose breast disease in women. Mammography can find changes in the breast up to two years before you or your physician can feel them. This means that breast cancer may be found in an earlier, more treatable stage.    

The American Cancer Society advises women 40 and older to have a mammogram performed annually since the risk of breast cancer increases as a woman gets older. If you have a family history of breast cancer, your doctor may advise that you start having mammograms at an earlier age.  

How do I prepare?  
The best time to schedule your mammogram for the week following your period. This is because your period may cause your breasts to be more sensitive and tender than usual.  

If there’s a possibility that you are pregnant your doctor or the technologist must be informed prior to the test being conducted. Other preparations that you should make are:  

• Do not wear deodorant, powder or lotion under your arms or on your breasts. They can appear on your mammogram as calcium spots.
• Tell your doctor and the technologist of any breast symptoms or problems that you have been experiencing.
• If you had any mammograms at other facilities, bring copies of the films with you so that the radiologist can compare the results.  

You will be asked to remove all jewelry and clothing above the waist before the exam. A gown or loose fitting material that opens in the front will be provided.  

How is the procedure performed?
You will stand in front of the X-ray machine, and the technologist will place your breast between two plastic/plexiglass plates. The plates press your breast as flat as possible for clear images to be taken. This compression will cause you to feel pressure on the breast. Let your technologist know if you are experiencing significant discomfort so the compression can be lessened.  

The technologist will position your body and arm in a way that will help the images come out as clear as possible. The technologist will then go behind a glass shield to take the images. You will be asked to change positions slightly between images.  

A screening mammogram takes views of both breasts and usually takes 15 to 20 minutes for digital mammography. 

Diagnostic mammography  
If you or your doctor find a breast lump or suspicious area in your breast, you may need to have a diagnostic mammogram. This type of mammogram differs from a screening mammogram in that it looks specifically at the breast in question to evaluate what was found during a physical examination or during a screening mammogram.