How often should I get a mammogram?
- Women 40 years and older should get a mammogram every 1 to 2 years.
- Women who have had breast cancer or other breast problems or who have a family history of breast cancer, might need to start getting mammograms before age 40 or they might need to get them more often. Talk to your doctor about when to start and how often you should have a mammogram.
Where can I get a mammogram?
Be sure to get a mammogram from a facility certified by the FDA. These places must meet high standards for their x-ray machines and staff. Check out the FDA's web site on the Internet at: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mammography/certified.html for a list of FDA-certified mammography facilities. Some of these facilities also offer digital mammograms. Your doctor, local medical clinic, or local or state health department can tell you where to get no-cost or low-cost mammograms. You can also call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service toll free at 1-800-422-6237 (TTY is 1-800-332-8615). Visit them online at http://www.cancer.gov.How do I get ready for my mammogram?
First, check with the place you are having the mammogram for any special instructions you may need to follow before you go. Here are some general guidelines to follow:- Make your mammogram appointment for one week after your period. Your breasts hurt less after your period.
- If you have breast implants, be sure to tell your mammography facility that you have them when you make your appointment.
- Wear a shirt with shorts, pants, or a skirt. This way, you can undress from the waist up and leave your shorts, pants, or skirt on when you get your mammogram.
- Don't wear any deodorant, perfume, lotion, or powder under your arms or on your breasts on the day of your mammogram appointment. These things can make shadows show up on your mammogram.
Are there any problems with mammograms?
As with any medical test, mammograms have limits. These limits include:- They are only part of a complete breast exam. Your doctor also should do a clinical breast exam. If your mammogram finds something abnormal, your doctor will order other tests.
- "False negatives" can happen. This means everything may look normal, but cancer is actually present. False negatives don't happen often. Younger women are more likely to have a false negative mammogram than are older women. This is because the breast tissue is denser, making cancer harder to spot.
- "False positives" can happen. This is when the mammogram results look like cancer is present, even though it is not. False positives are more common in younger women than older women.
(published with permission in writing from:http://www.womenshealth.gov/)
