What To Expect at Your Mammogram Appointment

 The standard of care for breast cancer screening starts with a mammogram. Like many forms of cancer, breast cancer is far easier to treat when found early when patients may have more minimally invasive treatment options. 

What is a Mammogram? 

A mammogram is a type of imaging used to detect cancer in breast tissue in its earliest stages, often well before you’d be able to feel a lump and sometimes before a mass has even developed. Mammograms utilize low-dose x-ray imaging to identify abnormalities in breast tissue. TPMG Imaging and Breast Center in Newport News, VA utilizes both 2D and 3D breast imaging technology to achieve the best image quality.  

How to Prepare for Your Mammogram Appointment 

If possible, please refrain from wearing perfume, deodorant, lotion, or powder, as these can impact your images. We recommend wearing a two-piece outfit so that you will only need to remove your shirt.  

 When you schedule your appointment, let the imaging center staff know if you have any new concerns such as a lump or focal pain, or if you need a follow up to a previous mammogram. If you’ve had a mammogram previously, please provide that information to the scheduler so that the images can be requested to be available for your exam. 

During Your Mammogram Appointment 

When you arrive, you will complete a questionnaire about personal and family history. A technologist will review your relevant breast history with you before the exam. Your appointment will take approximately 30 minutes. 

Typically, a minimum of 4 images are obtained. You may experience some discomfort or pain during this process. However, it does not last longer than 30-40 seconds for each image. This compression is very important to producing the best quality images so that your radiologist will have a clearer view of any potential tumors or other signs of cancer. 

Your technologist will review the images for quality before you leave. Your technologist will not be looking for signs of cancer. Only a radiologist is qualified to discuss the results of your mammogram with you. 

After Your Mammogram Appointment 

At TPMG Imaging and Breast Center in Newport News, VA, mammography images will always be read by a board certified and fellowship trained breast radiologist. This special training enables the radiologist to provide the best evaluation of your images, giving you the confidence that your health is in the best hands. Once your mammogram has been evaluated, you will receive a letter with the results. The results will also be provided to your referring provider. 

If additional imaging is needed to further evaluate your mammogram, the mammography staff will contact you to schedule that appointment.  

This is considered a diagnostic mammogram. You will receive the results from the radiologist the day the exam is completed. 

If there is still a concern and a biopsy is recommended, that can typically be done while you are still in the office that day. This will reduce your wait time to get final pathology results. 

Schedule Your Mammogram in Newport News, VA

Women with an average risk of breast cancer should begin annual mammogram screenings at the age of 40. Women with significant family history should speak with their provider to plan the best time to begin screenings. While there is no way to prevent breast cancer, annual screening can drastically reduce your risk of dying from the disease. Contact TPMG Imaging and Breast Center in Newport News, VA to schedule your next mammogram. We look forward to providing your mammogram with caring, experienced technologists and the best qualified breast radiologists.