Your Mammogram: How to Prepare For It and What to Expect

What to wear
Wear a two-piece outfit because you will have to remove your shirt for the exam.  Do not apply deodorant, talcum powder, perfume or lotions to the under arm or breasts before the exam.

What to bring
You need your prescription from your doctor, all previous mammogram results, along with a referral slip if needed.  Without your prescription, the mammogram cannot be performed and it will be necessary to reschedule.

The actual exposure time for the mammogram is brief, but the appointment is scheduled for 30 minutes so the technician has time to explain the procedure and make sure they have an interpretable x-ray.  Please inform the technician if you have noticed or experienced any changes in your breasts, or if you have noticed any lumps.  You also need to let the technician know if you have had previous breast surgery or if you have breast implants.

What to expect

• Arrival: 10 minutes prior to your appointment for registration.
• Clothes: You have to undress from the waist up, so wear something appropriate.
• Parking: Check the location section of our web site for the facility, directions, maps and parking instructions.
• Length: A screening mammograph takes 15 to 30 minutes after appointment time. A diagnostic/callback exam could take up to one hour.
• People: Anyone accompanying you will have to remain in the waiting room until the procedure is complete.
• Medications: Continue taking all medications as normal, unless instructed otherwise by your physician.
• Insurance/Payment: If a referral is required by your insurance, make sure to get one from your doctor, as well as the prescription slip prior to coming in for your procedure. Your screening mammogram has to be scheduled one year and one day after your last mammogram was performed.
• Special Instructions: Please do not wear deodorant, powders or creams. It is very important to bring previous mammogram films with you to your exam. If you are unable to pick them up yourself, make sure you sign a release form for us to get your films from the last facility. If you have implants, it is important to make note of that when scheduling your exam, so we allow an hour for the appointment. There is more involved with an implant exam.