What happens during the test?
You first need to remove any jewellery and metal objects, and clothing above the waist, and put on a hospital gown. If you are wearing lotion or deodorant on or around the breasts and armpits, rinse it off. Store your personal belongings safely.
You will usually be asked to stand (although some tests are done while you are sitting or lying down) while a radiology technologist or another health care professional places one of your breasts on a flat surface. Another surface pushes against the breast to make the tissue flat. Two pictures will be taken of each breast, one with the breast compressed from top to bottom and the other with the breast compressed from side to side.
Try to remain completely still while the pictures are being taken. More pictures may be taken if, for example, a possible abnormality is detected or if an image is unclear. For women with breast implants, special views are obtained to ensure all the breast tissue can be seen.
Most people find a mammogram uncomfortable. Squeezing the breast tissue between the X-ray plate is necessary in order to make the image clearer.
How should I prepare for this test?
Before the breast exam, tell your doctor if you:
- are pregnant, or suspect you are pregnant
- have breast implants
On the day of the test, avoid using deodorant or other products on the skin around or on the breasts.
Bring any previous test X-rays of your breasts with you, if you have them. Make sure to tell the person performing the test if you have had any breast surgery in the past (e.g., a breast biopsy, breast implant surgery, or breast reduction surgery), or if you are currently breast-feeding. Scar tissue from a previous surgery can affect the test results.
If you experience breast tenderness before your menstrual period, try to schedule the test for a time when your breasts are not tender.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any medication allergies and medical conditions that you may have.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you need to stop taking any of your medications before the test.
What can I expect after the test?
Your breasts may be tender after the test. A warm shower may relieve some of this tenderness.
Results
A radiologist interprets the results of a mammogram. You may receive your results immediately after the image is developed, or results may be available several days later.
Your doctor will discuss the results with you and use the mammogram results, along with results from other tests, to determine the next step in your care. You may be asked to return for additional mammograms of one or both breasts. This is a common occurrence and does not necessarily mean that a serious abnormality has been detected.