Mammography
(Breast X-ray; Mammogram; X-ray of Breast Tissue)
Definition
This exam uses low-dose x-rays to make a picture of breast tissue. The picture is called a mammogram.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women aged 50 and older get a mammography every two years. Other organizations recommend screening every year starting at age 40. Women who are at high risk for breast cancer (eg, have a family history) may need to have mammograms starting at an earlier age and more often. Most organizations in the US and Canada recommend regular screening. There are some differences of opinion among these groups, like when to start and how often to have the screenings. Talk to your doctor about what is best for you.
Reasons for Test
- Detect breast cancer
- Identify changes in the breast tissue before a lump can be felt
- Find a lump's location before a biopsy or surgery
Mammogram Showing the Growth of a Breast Mass
What to Expect
Prior to Test
There are no special steps to prepare for this exam.
There is no proven method to decrease discomfort, but you can try:
- Scheduling the exam when breast tissue is least tender. This is most often a week after your period.
- Avoiding caffeinated drinks.
- Applying skin numbing products—The FDA has issued a warning about using skin numbing products (also called topical anesthetics) for this purpose.
NOTE: Tell the technician if you:
- Are pregnant
- Are breastfeeding
- Have breast implants —Ask if the facility uses special techniques to accommodate implants. Implants make it hard to see breast tissue.
On the day of your exam:
- Do not apply deodorant, talcum powder, lotion, or perfume near your breasts or under your arms.
- Ask your doctor if you should take a pain medicine like ibuprofen to relieve discomfort.
- Wear comfortable clothing so you can easily remove your shirt.
- Remove jewelry.
- Bring copies of previous mammograms and reports with you. If you have them done in the same facility each time, they will have results of prior years. The doctor can compare the old images to the new ones.
- Describe any breast problems to the technician before the exam.
Description of Test
You will stand in front of a special x-ray machine. It has a platform to place your breast on. The technician will adjust the height of the platform. One breast will be lifted and placed between special plates that hold film. The plate is brought close to the platform and compresses the breast. This allows for a clearer image. The exam will cause some discomfort. Tell the technician if you feel any pain.
Two pictures of each breast are taken. For one picture, you face toward the platform and the image is taken looking down at the breast. For the second, you stand beside the machine. This allows for a side view. Extra images may be needed if you have implants or if the doctor is looking at a specific spot more closely.
Results
The radiologist will look at the images and may speak with you at the end of the exam. You will usually receive your results within seven days. If you do not, call and ask for the results.
Your doctor will have a report and either send you a letter or talk to you about your condition. The next mammography is usually done in 1-2 years if everything is normal.
Mammograms can sometimes detect things that look like cancer but are not. If something is noticed on the mammogram, you may need to have other tests done, like an ultrasound or a breast biopsy. This will help determine if there is an actual problem or if everything is fine.
Also, like all screening tests, the mammogram will not detect every single abnormality.
Call Your Doctor
After the test, call your doctor if any of the following occurs:
- Changes in a breast, including a lump or thickening
- Skin discoloration or discharge from the nipple
American Cancer Society
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
National Cancer Institute
Breast Cancer Society of Canada
Radiology for Patients
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Frequently asked questions. Oklahoma Breast Care Center website. Available at: http://www.okbreastcare.com/faq.html. Accessed July 22, 2008.
Mammography. Radiological Society of North America website. Available at: http://www.radiologyinfo.org. Updated August 2006. Accessed July 22, 2008.
Mammography for breast cancer screening. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/. Updated March 2011. Accessed May 5, 2011.
Public health advisory: potential hazards of skin products containing numbing ingredients for relieving pain from mammography and other medical tests and conditions. United States Food and Drub Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/DrugSafetyInformationforHeathcareProfessionals/PublicHealthAdvisories/ucm110625.htm. Updated January 2009. Accessed May 5, 2011.
United States Preventive Services Task Force. Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force. 3rd ed. Washington, DC: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2006.
Women's health. Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research website. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/. Published 2006. Accessed July 22, 2008.
8/12/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice bulletin: breast cancer screening. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2011;122.
Last reviewed December 2011 by Ganson Purcell Jr., MD, FACOG, FACPE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
