Mammography
Mammograms help detect breast changes, including breast cancer, often before you can feel them. At NKC Health, our team uses several mammography methods because we know that every woman is different. No matter what you need, our experts will ensure you have the latest technology and provide clear information about your breast health.
Baseline mammograms
Your first mammogram is called a baseline mammogram. It gives your provider a starting point to compare with future mammograms and look for any changes in your breast tissue. The American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging recommends starting annual screening mammograms at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, your provider may recommend starting earlier.
After your first mammogram, you should continue getting screening mammograms every year.
Benefits of annual mammograms
Annual mammograms help you and your healthcare provider find breast changes that may need further testing. They can detect lumps that are too small to feel during a monthly breast self-exam.
NKC Health primarily uses 3-D mammography, which allows radiologists to examine breast tissue layer by layer for a more detailed view. In some cases, your radiologist might recommend contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) for additional information.
Benefits of 3-D mammography include:
- More detailed images – 3-D mammography can help reduce false-positive results and unnecessary follow-up tests or biopsies.
- Earlier detection of smaller cancers – Finding breast cancer early can give you more treatment options and improve the chances of successful treatment.
- Same-day results – In most cases, you’ll receive your results the same day as your appointment.
- More cancers detected – 3-D mammography detects 41% more invasive breast cancers than traditional 2D mammography.
Contrast-enhanced mammography
Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) combines a traditional mammogram with an injection of contrast dye similar to the type used for a CT exam. The contrast helps highlight areas with increased blood flow in the breast, which may need further evaluation. The exam takes less than 10 minutes and is performed in a mammography suite by a specially trained specialist.
Contrast dye can affect kidney function for some patients, If you're over 60, have diabetes or certain other health conditions, including hypertension, we may check your kidney function before scheduling your exam.
Mammogram frequently asked questions
The American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging recommend that all women have an annual breast cancer screening, starting at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer, you should begin yearly mammograms ten years earlier than the age the family member was diagnosed or at age 40, whichever comes first. For example, if your mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 44, you should start screening mammograms at age 34. 3-D mammography is approved for all women who would have a traditional mammogram. Clinical studies have shown that all women, regardless of breast type or density, benefit from 3-D mammography.
You should feel as prepared and comfortable as possible before your mammogram. Preparation starts with scheduling your mammogram at the best time for you. Your breasts may be tender right before and during your period, so we recommend not getting a mammogram then. If possible, schedule your mammogram a week or two after your period starts. On the day of your mammogram, avoid wearing deodorant, perfume, powders or lotion under your arms or on your breasts. These products can show up as calcium spots on the mammogram and make results harder to see. Also be sure to tell the radiologist about any breast symptoms or problems.
You can expect your mammogram exam to take about 30 minutes. At your appointment, we’ll have you undress from the waist up and give you a gown to wear. You’ll place one breast at a time on the X-ray plate. A paddle will compress the breast to help flatten the tissue. The compression may be uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful. We’ll take images from several angles, so you’ll change positions a few times. Before you leave, ask when your results will be ready. Usually, you’ll have access to mammogram results within 24 hours or less. We'll send your results to your primary care doctor after a radiologist has reviewed them.
All procedures have some risk, but with mammograms, the benefits outweigh the risks. You should be aware that mammograms:
- Aren’t always accurate and can possibly show false-negative or false-positive results
- Can be difficult to interpret in women under 40
- Can’t detect all cancers
- Expose you to low-dose radiation
You may need additional testing if the findings are abnormal.
A screening mammogram is what you have every year. You may need a diagnostic mammogram if your screening mammogram shows abnormal results. Diagnostic mammograms help evaluate the area in question. Know that just because you have a diagnostic mammogram does not mean you have breast cancer or another breast condition.