Mammogram Information
Early detection is the best defense against dying from breast cancer, which is why nearly 40 million screening mammograms are performed each year in the United States. Mammogram examinations are often able to detect breast abnormalities before signs or symptoms of cancer occur. Whether it’s time for your first mammogram or your tenth, you might have questions or concerns about the procedure before scheduling.
What are Mammograms?
A mammogram is a non-invasive breast exam that can detect breast cancer when it is small and easiest to treat. During a mammogram, a technologist will use a special machine to take X-rays of your breasts. The machine compresses the breast between a plexiglass paddle and an X-ray detector plate to generate an X-ray image of the breast tissue.
There is some brief pressure on the breasts to create the most high quality image. However, for the vast majority of women, it is described as mild and brief discomfort.
After the X-ray, a physician trained in the interpretation of imaging (diagnostic radiologists) reviews the breast mammogram images to identify any potential areas of abnormality.
Screening Mammogram vs. Diagnostic Mammogram
A screening mammogram, sometimes called a “routine” or “annual” mammogram, is performed if you are asymptomatic. Asymptomatic means that you are not experiencing any breast symptoms or problems. You do not need a doctor's order for a screening mammogram and can directly schedule the procedure. Once a woman turns forty, a screening mammogram should be completed yearly. Women with a family history or other issues that increase their personal risk for breast cancer would benefit from starting their yearly screening mammogram before the age of forty.
About 10% of the time, the radiologist will recall the patient for a diagnostic mammogram. This exam is to further evaluate an inconclusive finding in the breast from the screening mammogram. Often, a breast ultrasound will also be done the same day.
In addition to being used as a follow-up to an abnormal screening exam, diagnostic mammograms are performed when a patient has any breast symptoms or concerns. These concerns can include, but are not limited to, findings that are being rechecked every six months or patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer within the past two years. With diagnostic mammograms, you generally receive results the same day.
All patients undergoing both screening and diagnostic mammograms will receive a letter or notification in MyChart®, the electronic medical records portal, summarizing their results.
3D Mammography Technology
Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT, sometimes called a “3D” mammogram) is used for screening and diagnostic mammograms. An advancement in existing digital mammography technology, this technique reduces false alarms and helps improve the detection of some types of breast cancer. In traditional mammography, the details of the breast are viewed in one flat image. “3D” mammography allows the breast to be viewed in a series of layers, removing tissue imposition and improving diagnostic accuracy.
At What Age Should You Get a Screening Mammogram?
Women of average breast cancer risk should start screening mammography at age 40. Women that are at high risk for developing breast cancer should start screening mammography at age 30, and should also undergo supplemental breast MRI screening. Regular yearly screening mammograms should continue as long as you are in good health or as your doctor recommends.
In addition, your doctor may recommend a mammogram for the following reasons:
- A finding of concern on a clinical breast exam
- A patient reported area of concern or lump
- Diagnosis of breast irregularities you or your doctor find during a physical or self breast exam
- Follow-up to a previous abnormal mammogram
- Personal history of cancer
- Prior breast surgery or biopsy requiring diagnostic follow-up
- A breast abnormality detected on another imaging study
SSM Health is here to provide you the very best care in breast health. Make an appointment today to talk to your doctor if you still have questions or concerns about your breast health or mammogram.
How Do You Prepare for a Mammogram?
Our caregivers know mammogram appointments can be intimidating and the tests can be uncomfortable. It’s not uncommon for women to be nervous about their results, especially if they’ve discovered a lump or other sign of breast cancer.
If you have undergone mammograms at a different location or facility in the past, please alert the SSM Health scheduler to this so that the prior exams can be obtained in advance of your appointment. Results can be delayed when prior exams are not available to compare with the current mammogram exam.
To reduce discomfort during the mammogram exam, we suggest the following:
- For pre-menopausal women, try scheduling your appointment the week after your menstrual cycle. Your breasts maybe less tender.
- Do not wear deodorant or put lotions, creams or powers on the breast or underarm
- Talk with your Mammography Technologist. The technologist can help talk you through the best way to position your body to capture the best images in the shortest amount of time.
Remember that yearly screening mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer when it is most treatable. For additional resources, we suggest the mammography tool kits from the American College of radiology.
How much does a Mammogram typically cost?
For patients with insurance, screening mammography is considered a “covered service” and there is no out of pocket cost. For uninsured or under-insured patients, SSM Health can help provide this potentially life-saving service at a reduced or free cost.
For most diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds, patients may have an out of pocket cost. It will vary by insurance coverage. To receive an estimate on your out of pocket cost, find your testing location and use our price transparency tool in MyChart.