VBD-F4

The American Cancer Society recommends the following measures before your breast X ray. Some are for convenience only; others affect the quality of the test.

Do not use deodorant, talcum powder, or lotion under your arms or near the breasts that day. These products can show up on the X-ray picture and mimic or hide breast abnormalities.

Bring the name, address, and phone number of your doctor or other health care provider. This way the doctors at your mammography center can communicate any important information to your regular physician--or ask important questions that might clarify a finding on your X ray. Also, write a list of questions you may forget to ask.

Bring your previous mammography films, as well as the radiologist's report if it was not done at the same facility and any past pathology reports. Ask the facilities where you had previous mammograms done to release the films to you, and bring them with you if possible. Your new mammogram can then be compared with your old one(s) to see if any meaningful changes have developed. Also bring a list of the places and dates of any previous mammograms, biopsies, or other breast treatments you have received. Your original films belong to the center where they were taken, but if you are moving to another city or no longer plan to use the facility, you should keep the films yourself (place them in cold storage).

Also note: If you are worried about discomfort during the mammogram, you might want to take a mild over-the-counter painkiller about an hour before the mammogram. Rarely, I will give a stronger prescription medicine for anxiety, for women who are particularly frightened and will not have the test without it.

Also remember: Don't settle for the "no news is good news" maxim when it comes to your mammogram results. Before you leave, ask the technician about when you should expect to receive the results of your test. It usually takes about ten days or less, but ideally women should be given their results before they leave the facility (this is unfortunately done quite rarely). If you haven't heard anything by then, pick up the phone and call for your results. A terrific new law requires mammography facilities to notify patients directly--in lay terms--of the results of their mammograms.

Booklets

This excellent resource can be obtained free of charge from the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. It is listed in our resource section on mammography.