For many women, turning 40 signals a medical rite of passage. Yes, it’s time to make plans for their first mammogram.
No matter how much they’ve read about the experience or heard from friends, preparing mentally and physically for the first appointment can be nerve-racking. But missing a mammogram isn’t an option because you’re nervous, or you run the risk of not detecting breast cancer early when it’s most treatable.
“Two keys to finding breast cancer are manual breast exams and mammograms,” says Melvin Schursky, M.D., general surgeon. “Mammograms can detect cancer before it grows big enough to be noticed by women checking at home or by a provider during an annual checkup. The earlier we find breast cancer, the better the outcome for our patients.”
At Riverside, our goal is to put women at ease so they will not only go for their first mammogram but continue mammograms on a regular basis to increase their chances of finding breast cancer early. So, here are some tips to help you feel more comfortable.
What should I wear?
You will need to put a gown on, so wearing a top and bottom to the appointment, rather than a one-piece outfit, is helpful. Do not use deodorant, powder, perfume, ointment, or cream on your breasts or underarms. These can create white spots on the low-dose X-ray.
How long does it take?
We ask you to arrive 20 minutes before your appointment time for check-in to complete paperwork. When you’re called back, you’ll meet with the imaging tech, who will ask you a few questions and give you a gown to wear.
The actual screening mammogram process once you’re in the imaging room takes 15 to 20 minutes. A screening mammogram is different from a diagnostic mammogram, which is ordered if there’s already a breast concern.
Does it hurt?
The tech will position your breast between two plates. The breast needs to be flat for a clearer picture. Once a tech has the breast in the right position, the image is taken quickly in a matter of seconds. Most of the time, a tech will take two pictures of each breast — one from the side and one from above.
You will feel a lot of pressure but likely not pain during the mammogram. You may want to avoid scheduling your mammogram the week before your period if your breasts are usually more tender and swollen then.
What happens next?
A radiologist will review the mammogram images and send a written report to your doctor.
The results will be part of your electronic medical record. You can view your results using Riverside MyChart.
“After you’ve had your first mammogram, it’s helpful to go back to the same facility for future mammograms,” Dr. Schursky says. “That way they are more consistent and can more easily be compared from year to year.”
Schedule your mammogram online or call Central Scheduling, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- 757-989-8830, option 2 (Peninsula, Middle Peninsula, Williamsburg)
- 1-800-675-6368, option 2 (Northern Neck)
- 757-302-2100 (Eastern Shore)
