Preparing For a Mammogram

By Angela Marshall, MD

Comprehensive Women’s Health

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Preparing For a Mammogram

Let's be honest there is nothing pleasant about having a mammogram. However, it is a very important screening tool for breast cancer and saves the lives of many women (and men) every day.

While there is some professional debate over when exactly a woman should have her first mammogram and how often she should have one, the simple fact is that, at some point, nearly all women will and should have a mammogram. It is also very likely that, over the course of their lifetime, women will have multiple mammograms. That's why it is important to understand how to prepare for a mammogram. Properly preparing for a mammogram is about two key elements comfort and reliable results. In many cases, these issues go hand-in-hand.

Before scheduling a mammogram, the American Cancer Society (ACS) and other specialty organizations recommend that you discuss any new findings or problems in your breasts with your doctor. It's also important to inform your doctor of any prior surgeries (including breast implants),hormoneuse, family or personal history of breast cancer, and if there is any possibility that you might be pregnant.

When it comes to scheduling a mammogram, it is best to select a time when your breasts are least likely to be tender.If you are pre-menopausal, that's usually during the week after your menstrual period. Your breasts are most likely to be tender the week before and the week during your period.

On the day of your mammogram, taking an over-the-counter pain medication, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, about an hour before your exam can often help ease the discomfort of the test. Wearing a two piece outfit so that you only have to remove your top and bra for the examination is also a smart idea, as is a blouse which buttons in the front that can be easily taken off and put back on.You should avoid talcum powder, deodorant, lotion, or perfume under your arms or on your breasts. These substances can cause artifacts on your mammogram that make the images harder to interpret. To help with the review of your mammogram, obtain any prior mammograms and make them available to your doctor at the time of the current exam.

Finally, you should always ask when your results will be available, and do not assume the results are normal if you do not hear from your doctor or the mammography facility.

Getting a mammogram may not be something you will look forward to but it could save your life. That's worth some inconvenience, discomfort, and planning.