Screening Mammogram
Mammograms are images made possible through the use of ionizing radiation. Mammography plays a critical roll in the early screening and diagnosing of breast diseases because mammograms have the ability to show changes in breast tissue prior to a patient or physician’s ability to feel them.
Current guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend screening mammography every year for women, beginning at age 40.
Diagnostic Mammogram
Diagnostic mammography refers to images used to evaluate a patient with abnormal clinical findings detected by the patient or her doctor. Diagnostic mammography may also be done after an abnormal screening mammography in order to determine the cause of the area of concern on the screening exam.
Please follow the American Cancer Society’s preparation recommendation for a mammogram examination:
- Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under your arms or on your breasts on the day of your mammogram because these can appear on the mammogram as calcium spots.
- If possible, obtain prior mammograms and make them available to the radiologist at the time of the current exam.
- Make sure you bring your doctor note for the mammogram study.
- Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the exam.
Breast self-exam, clinical breast examination, ultrasound, and MRI should be used as complementary tools in detecting breast disease, but there are no substitutes or replacements for a mammogram.
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