Learning more about your appointment with
Mammography
Mammography is specialized medical imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray system to see inside the breasts. A mammography exam, called a mammogram, aids in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women. It can be used either for breast cancer screening or for diagnostic purposes, such as to investigate symptoms or unusual findings on another imaging test.
An x-ray exam helps doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions. It exposes you to a small dose of radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body.
Please choose from the list below to learn more about your specific exam:
Preparing for your appointment
What can I eat?
No restrictions.
Before Your Exam/Test
Take all prescribed medication as directed.
Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing that can be easily removed from the waist up. Please refrain from wearing jewelry for your technologist’s convenience.
Please refrain from using deodorant, lotions or powders prior to coming to your exam.
About your appointment
What to expect.
When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to diagnostic imaging for your appointment and check in with registration. You will be asked to wait in the x-ray waiting room until a technologist is prepared to assist you for your exam. When your technologist is prepared you will be escorted to the procedure room where the technologist or nurse will review or explain the procedure.
Once ready, your technologist will take you into the mammography room where you will be asked to undress from the waist up. Your breast is placed between 2 plates. The plates are then pressed together to flatten the breast. This may be uncomfortable, but it lasts only a few seconds. Compressing the breast tissue helps make the images clearer while using as little radiation as possible.
How long will it take?
Approximately 20 minutes.
After your appointment
Your breasts may be sore or slightly bruised after this exam.
Your radiologist will report the findings to your ordering physician within 1-3 days, who you may contact for the results.
Spot Compression views may be recommended by the Radiologist to image a small area more clearly. A small compression plate separates the tissue in the area of concern and may be magnified.
Preparing for your appointment
What can I eat?
No restrictions.
Before Your Exam/Test
Take all prescribed medication as directed.
Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing that can be easily removed from the waist up. Please refrain from wearing jewelry for your technologist’s convenience.
Please refrain from using deodorant, lotions or powders prior to coming to your exam.
About your appointment
What to expect.
When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to diagnostic imaging for your appointment and check in with registration. You will be asked to wait in the x-ray waiting room until a technologist is prepared to assist you for your exam. When your technologist is prepared you will be escorted to the procedure room where the technologist or nurse will review or explain the procedure.
Once ready, your technologist will take you into the mammography room where you will be asked to undress from the waist up. Your breast is placed between 2 plates. The plates are then pressed together to flatten the breast. This may be uncomfortable, but it lasts only a few seconds. Compressing the breast tissue helps make the images clearer while using as little radiation as possible.
How long will it take?
Approximately 20 minutes.
After your appointment
Your breasts may be sore or slightly bruised after this exam.
Your radiologist will report the findings to your ordering physician within 1-3 days, who you may contact for the results.
Stereotactic breast biopsy uses mammography to sample microcalcifications detected on a mammogram.
Preparing for your appointment
What can I eat?
No restrictions.
Before Your Exam/Test
Take all prescribed medication as directed.
*You must inform your booking clerk if you take a blood thinner as you may have to temporarily refrain from taking this medication prior to having this procedure done.
Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing that can be easily removed from the waist up. Please refrain from wearing jewelry for your technologist’s convenience.
Please refrain from using deodorant, lotions or powders prior to coming to your exam.
About your appointment
What to expect.
When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to diagnostic imaging for your appointment and check in with registration. You will be asked to wait in the x-ray waiting room until a technologist is prepared to assist you for your exam. When your technologist is prepared you will be escorted to the procedure room where the technologist or nurse will review or explain the procedure.
Stereotactic biopsy is performed using mammography. You will be sitting for laying on your side. Once in the correct position your breast will remain in compression for approximately 10 min. The radiologist uses the mammogram machine to guide the biopsy needle into the area of microcalcifications. Local anesthetic is used to mitigate any discomfort or pain felt by the patient.
Your biopsied tissue is then sent to the lab for testing.
How long will it take?
Approximately 1 hour.
After your appointment
Your breasts may be sore or slightly bruised after this exam.
You will be provided an ice pack and wearing a tight sports bra for the remainder of the day is recommended.
Your radiologist will report the findings to your ordering physician within 7-10 days, who you may contact for the results.
Contrast enhanced mammography is an imaging technique that uses a contrast solution, similar to the contrast used in CT scans, in combination with the standard mammogram procedure. This allows for identification cancers that may not visible in a standard mammogram.
Preparing for your appointment
What can I eat?
No restrictions.
Before Your Exam/Test
Take all prescribed medication as directed.
Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing that can be easily removed from the waist up. Please refrain from wearing jewelry for your technologist’s convenience.
Please refrain from using deodorant, lotions or powders prior to coming to your exam.
About your appointment
What to expect.
When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to diagnostic imaging for your appointment and check in with registration. You will be asked to wait in the x-ray waiting room until a technologist is prepared to assist you for your exam. When your technologist is prepared you will be escorted to the mammography room where a nurse will administer your IV, take your vitals and go over your procedure.
Once ready to begin, you will be asked to undress from the waist up. Your technologist will then administer the contrast dye needed for this exam. Your breast is then placed between 2 plates. The plates are then pressed together to flatten the breast. This may be uncomfortable, but it lasts only a few seconds. Compressing the breast tissue helps make the images clearer while using as little radiation as possible.
*Allergic reactions to the contrast solution, although are rare, are still possible. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include, but are not limited to itchiness, redness, hives, or shortness of breath. If you experience any sort of reaction during your time with us, immediately bring it to the attention of the technologist, nurse or radiologist involved with your procedure.
If you believe you are experiencing a delayed minor reaction after leaving the hospital such as hives, redness, itchiness, please contact your primary care provider/ordering physician, or pharmacist.
If you believe your reaction is more severe, such as impacting your ability to breath, please seek emergency care or call 9-1-1.
How long will it take?
Approximately 30 minutes.
After your appointment
Your breasts may be sore or slightly bruised after this exam.
Your radiologist will report the findings to your ordering physician within 1-3 days, who you may contact for the results.