How To Prepare For A Mammogram: Your Ultimate Guide

Linsey Gold • June 19, 2022

Mammograms are an important part of breast cancer prevention and early detection. If you're scheduled for a mammogram appointment, it's important to be prepared so you can get the most accurate test results.

This guide will help you understand how to prepare for a mammogram. By following these tips, you can make the procedure as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Getting Ready for a Mammogram: What You Need To Know

What Is a Mammogram and Why Do I Need One?

A mammogram is a low-dose x ray exam of your breast that can help detect early signs of breast cancer, before they can be felt by you or your doctor. Mammograms are the best tool we have to detect breast cancer early.

The exam can be used for: breast cancer screening or diagnostic purposes.

Screening Mammogram

Screening mammograms are used to check for breast cancers, such as invasive breast cancer, in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women ages 40 and older have a mammogram every year and continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.

If you're under the age of 40 and have a family history of breast cancer, you may need to start getting screening mammograms earlier. Your health care provider can help you determine the best time to start getting mammograms based on your individual risk factors.

Diagnostic Mammogram

A diagnostic mammogram is used to check for breast cancer in women who have signs or symptoms of the disease. This type of mammogram is usually done if you have a lump in your breast, nipple discharge, or changes in the appearance of your breast.

You may also need a diagnostic mammogram if an abnormal area is found on a screening mammogram.

How to Prepare for a Mammogram?

If you're scheduled for your first mammogram appointment, you may be feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement. While it's normal to feel some anxiety about the unknown, there are a few things you can do to help make the process as smooth and comfortable as possible.

Schedule your mammogram when your breasts are less likely to be tender or swollen. For many women, this means scheduling your appointment one to two weeks after the start of your menstrual period.

If you have breast implants, let the mammography center know in advance so that they can take appropriate measures.

In addition, avoid wearing a one piece outfit. Instead, wear a two-piece outfit so that you can easily remove your top for the exam. You'll also want to avoid wearing lotions, powders, creams, or deodorants, as their metallic particles can interfere with the images.

What Happens During a Mammogram?

A mammogram usually takes place in two steps:

First, your breast is compressed between two firm surfaces of a mammogram machine. You may feel some discomfort or pain during the procedure, and you may feel breast tenderness or soreness for the rest of the day, but this compression helps to spread out the breast tissue so that the radiologist can get a good view of your entire breast.

Second, low-dose x ray images are taken of each breast from several angles. These mammogram images are then checked for any abnormalities. If anything suspicious is found, more x rays or other imaging tests may be needed to get a closer look. The entire procedure usually takes about 20 minutes.

If you have had prior mammogram images, it is important to bring them with you or have them sent to the new facility where your mammogram will be performed. These past mammograms are important because they can be used for comparison if there are any changes in your breast tissue.

Furthermore, be sure to tell the health care team member or the mammogram technologist if there is anything different about your breasts since your last appointment, such as a new lump, discharge from the nipple, or change in the size or shape of your breast.

What Should I Expect After a Mammogram?

In most cases, the results of your mammogram will be available within one to two weeks. Your health care provider will go over the results with you and explain what they mean.

If your mammogram shows anything abnormal, you may need to have additional testing done. This can include more x rays, an ultrasound, or a biopsy (a procedure in which a small sample of tissue is taken from the breast for further testing).

However, most women who have abnormal mammogram results do not have breast cancer. But it’s important to follow up so that any problems can be found and treated as early as possible.

If you are due for a mammogram or think you may be at high risk for breast cancer, talk to your doctor about when you should have the test and how often you should have it.

Are There Any Risks Associated with Getting a Mammogram Done, and How Can I Minimize Them?

Mammograms are generally safe. The small amount of radiation you are exposed to during the test is not enough to cause any harm. There is a very small risk that the x rays could damage your DNA and lead to cancer.

The bigger concern with mammograms is inaccurate readings or false positives--when the test results show something abnormal even though there is no cancer present. These can lead to unnecessary anxiety and further testing, which can be costly and sometimes risky.

To minimize the risk of false positives, it’s important to have your mammogram done at a certified mammogram facility that has experienced staff and state-of-the-art equipment. You should also make sure that the radiologist reading your mammogram is experienced in interpreting them.

It’s also important to remember that mammograms are not perfect. They can miss some cancers, especially in women with dense breast tissue. So it’s important to be familiar with your breasts and to report any changes to your doctor right away.

How Can I Maintain My Breast Health?

In addition to getting regular mammograms, there are a few other things you can do to keep your breasts healthy:

Perform a Monthly Breast Self-Exam

It's important to perform a breast self-exam (BSE) monthly to check for any breast changes. While it's best to have a healthcare professional show you how to do a BSE, you can also follow these instructions:

Start by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Keep an eye out for any changes in size, shape, or color. Raise your arms and look for changes.
Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast, and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a light, circular motion as you feel the entire breast area. Be sure to feel both on the outer edges of the breast as well as the areas closer to your chest wall.
Finally, feel your breasts while standing up with one arm behind your head. Again, use a light, circular motion as you move from the outer edges of each breast inward. If you notice any changes during your BSE, be sure to follow up with a healthcare professional.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of breast cancer. This because the extra breast tissue can make it harder to find breast cancer early. Losing weight may also lower your risk of breast cancer after menopause.

If you have a higher body fat percentage, you may want to talk to your doctor about ways to lower your risk.

One way to maintain a healthy weight is to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your risk of breast cancer. Avoiding processed foods, sugary drinks, and red meat can also help you manage your weight and reduce your breast cancer risk.

Limit Your Alcohol Intake

Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for breast cancer. The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk. Even light drinking increases your risk.

If you choose to drink alcohol, limit your intake to no more than one drink per day. A standard drink is:

12 ounces of beer
5 ounces of wine
1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor

Drinking alcohol can also increase the risk of breast cancer coming back (recurrence) in women who have previously been treated for the disease. If you’re a breast cancer survivor, it’s best to abstain from alcohol altogether.

Don’t Smoke

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your breast health. Not only does it increase your risk of breast cancer, but it also damages the tissue and decreases the overall quality of your breasts.

The chemicals in cigarettes are particularly harmful to the delicate breast tissue, and they can also cause changes in the structure of the breast that make it more difficult to detect breast cancer at an early stage.

In addition, smoking significantly increases your risk of other types of cancer, including lung cancer.

If you care about your breast health, kicking the smoking habit is one of the best things you can do.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, getting a mammogram is an important part of staying healthy and catching any problems early. With a little preparation, you can make sure that your mammogram is as accurate and comfortable as possible. Remember, early detection is key to breast cancer treatment, so don't hesitate to schedule your mammogram appointment if you're due for one.

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Sex Life After Breast Cancer

By Linsey Gold • January 20, 2023

After cancer treatment, many women feel out of sync with their body. Here are tips to help you reconnect with your sexuality and empower you to make choices that are right for you.

8 Types Of Breast Cancer

By Linsey Gold • January 6, 2023

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, and it can occur in any part of the breast. There are many different breast cancer types, but all of them start with abnormal cells that grow out of control. These abnormal cells can invade and damage nearby breast tissue, including the lymph nodes under your arm, which is why it’s important to get regular mammograms and checkups. Early detection is key to successful treatment. In this article, we'll discuss the eight different breast cancer types. We hope this information will help you become more aware of the various types of breast cancer and their potential risks. RELATED: Breast Cancer And Exercise: The Role Of Physical Activity In Women With Breast Cancer 8 Breast Cancer Types Ductal or Lobular Carcinoma The most common type of breast cancer, ductal or lobular carcinoma, begins in the breast ducts or the lobules. This type of cancer can be invasive or non-invasive, and it's usually treated with a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) or Intraductal Carcinoma or Stage 0 Breast Cancer Ductal carcinoma in situ is a pre-invasive or non-invasive breast cancer. This means that there are abnormal cells in the lining of the milk duct, and they haven't spread outside of the duct. In most cases, DCIS is found through a mammogram before it can be seen or felt. While DCIS isn't life-threatening, it's still considered cancer and should be treated as such. Left untreated, DCIS may develop into an invasive breast cancer, which can be much more serious. This is why many doctors recommend treatment for DCIS even though it's a noninvasive cancer. Surgery is the most common treatment for DCIS. The type of surgery depends on the size of the tumor and how far it has spread within the ducts. Radiation therapy is often used after surgery to kill any remaining breast cancer cells. Invasive Breast Cancer or Infiltrating Breast Cancer Invasive breast cancer is a more serious type because it has spread outside the milk ducts or lobules into surrounding breast tissue. Once the invasive breast tumors spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones or lungs, they become metastatic breast cancer. While early-stage invasive breast cancer may not cause any symptoms, advanced stages of the disease can cause a variety of symptoms, including: a lump or thickening in the breast bloody discharge from the nipple changes in the size or shape of the breast skin dimpling pain Treatment options for invasive breast cancer typically involve surgery to remove the cancerous breast tissue, as well as radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. In some cases, a combination of these treatments is necessary to achieve the best possible outcome. With early detection and proper treatment, most women with invasive breast cancer can go on to lead long, healthy lives. The two most common types of invasive breast cancer are: a. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma or Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) Invasive ductal carcinomas are the most common breast cancer type, accounting for about 80% of all diagnosed cases. It begins in the milk ducts, but quickly spreads beyond ducts and into the surrounding breast tissue. Although ductal carcinoma can occur in any part of the breast, it most commonly affects the upper outer quadrant. It can occur in any age group, but is more often diagnosed in post-menopausal women. Invasive ductal carcinoma is also the most common type of male breast cancer. b. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) ILC is a type of invasive breast cancer that accounts for approximately 10-15% of all invasive breast cancers. Unlike other breast cancer types, which typically first form in the milk ducts, lobular carcinoma begins in the milk-producing glands (lobules) Invasive lobular breast cancer is often harder to detect on mammograms than other breast cancer types, so it's important for women to be aware of the signs and symptoms. While it can occur in women of any age, ILC is most commonly diagnosed in women over the age of 50. Apart from these two most common types, there are other rare breast cancers that are sub-types of invasive breast cancer. These breast cancers have cells with unique characteristics: Medullary carcinoma: This type is characterized by the presence of large cancer cells and is more likely to occur in women with a family history of breast cancer. Tubular carcinoma: Under a microscope, breast cancer cells from a tubular carcinoma look like tubes. This type makes up about 2% of all breast cancers. Mucinous (or colloid) carcinoma: This cancer looks very different from other types of breast cancer because it contains a large amount of mucin. Mucin is a jelly-like substance that's normally found in small amounts in mucous membranes, such as the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Papillary carcinoma: This is characterized by long and thin tumors, similar in appearance to finger-like growths. It's usually found in older women. Adenoid cystic carcinoma: This is a type of cancer that typically affects the salivary glands. However, it can also occur in other tissues, such as the breast. It's characterized by the presence of two different types of cells--luminal and basaloid. Low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma: This is a rare variant of metaplastic breast cancer that's characterized by both glandular and squamous differentiation. Some subtypes of breast cancer have the same or even worse prognoses than invasive carcinoma, including: Mixed carcinoma: The prognosis of mixed carcinoma of the breast is quite good, with an average of eight-year disease-free survival. Metaplastic breast cancer: The five-year survival rate for this type is around 63%. Micropapillary carcinoma: This type is usually associated with a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer, but can be successfully treated in some cases. HER2-Positive Breast Cancer This is a type of breast cancer that's characterized by an overgrowth of the HER2 protein. This protein is found on the surface of healthy cells, and it helps to regulate cell growth. However, in HER2-positive breast cancer, the protein is produced in excess, causing the cells to grow and divide at an abnormally fast rate. Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) TNBC is an aggressive type of invasive breast cancer that's named "triple negative" because it's characterized by the lack of receptors commonly found in breast cancer: estrogen receptor progesterone receptor human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) This means that the tumor cells aren't sensitive to hormone therapy, making it difficult to treat. They also tend to grow and spread more quickly than other types of breast cancer. Women with triple negative breast cancers are typically diagnosed at a younger age and have a higher risk of recurrence . RELATED: How To Improve Breast Health Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare form of locally advanced breast cancer, meaning that it has already progressed locally but has not yet spread through the lymph nodes or outside the breast. IBC accounts for only 1-5% of all breast cancer cases and typically occurs in younger women and in African American women. Symptoms can include: redness swelling warmth in the affected breast inverted nipple discharge from the nipple IBC is often mistaken for a breast infection, which can delay treatment and result in the cancer spreading. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Less Common Types of Breast Cancers Some types of breast cancer are less common than others. This doesn't mean they're any less serious, but it does mean that they may not be as well-known. Here are three less common types of breast cancer: Paget's Disease of the Breast Paget disease is a rare form of cancer that affects the nipple and areola (the dark area of skin around the nipple). The disease gets its name from Sir James Paget, the doctor who first described it in 1874. Common symptoms include: a rash or crusting around the nipple itching burning pain Angiosarcoma Angiosarcoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of blood vessels or lymph vessels. It can occur anywhere in the body, but it most commonly develops in the skin, breast, or liver. Angiosarcoma is rare, and it's often diagnosed at an advanced stage. The prognosis for angiosarcoma is generally poor, but it varies depending on the location and stage of the cancer. With early diagnosis and treatment, some patients are able to achieve long-term remission. Phyllodes Tumor A phyllodes tumor is a rare type of breast tumor that arises from the breast's connective tissue, specifically the stroma. Its name comes from the Greek word "phyllodes," meaning "leaf-like." Phyllodes tumors tend to be large and bulky, and they can grow quickly. They're usually benign (non-cancerous), but in some cases, they can be malignant (cancerous). Phyllodes tumors are relatively rare, accounting for less than 1% of all breast tumors. Final Thoughts Breast cancer comes in many different forms and can affect people of any age, gender, or race. Understanding its different types is key to getting an accurate diagnosis and finding the best treatment plan. While breast cancer can be a serious illness, it's important to remember that it can also be successfully treated with early detection and advanced treatments. If you're ever concerned about a potential breast cancer symptom, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if it's something to be concerned about and make sure you get the care you need. Most importantly, remember to take your health into your own hands as much as possible—schedule regular check-ups with your doctor, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and stay up-to-date on breast health screenings. Doing this could save your life! Remember, early diagnosis is key for successful treatment of any type of breast cancer. Up Next: How To Take Care Of Your Breast Prostheses What Is A Mastectomy? | Everything You Need To Know The Best Bras After Breast Surgery