The 30 Minutes That Could Make a Difference: A Patient’s Guide to Mammography

For many people, scheduling a mammogram can come with a few questions: What should I expect? Will it hurt? How long will I be there? When will I get my results?

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, making it a perfect time to take some of the uncertainty out of mammography and walk through what actually happens during a screening appointment.

A screening mammogram is a routine breast imaging exam for people who have no signs or symptoms of breast disease. At Diagnostic Imaging Northwest (DINW), we aim to make the experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible—from check-in to your final images.

Here’s what you can expect.

Before Your Appointment

A little preparation can help your appointment go smoothly.

Before your exam, our staff will provide your check-in time and any instructions you may need. If you’ve had previous mammograms or breast imaging at another facility, be sure to provide the location of those exams.

Having previous images available is important because your radiologist may compare your current mammogram with prior studies to look for changes over time.

On the day of your appointment, wearing a comfortable two-piece outfit can make things easier since you’ll need to remove your top for the exam.

You should also avoid using deodorant, powder, perfume, or other products on your breasts or underarms before your mammogram. Some of these products can contain ingredients that may appear on mammographic images and interfere with interpretation.

And be sure to tell your mammography technologist if you:

• Are nursing

• Think you could be pregnant or are pregnant

• Have breast implants

• Have recently had breast surgery or a breast biopsy

Step 1: Check In

Once you arrive, you’ll check in and complete any necessary paperwork or update your medical history.

Your mammography technologist will review your history with you and answer any questions you may have.

Don’t be afraid to speak up. If you’re nervous about the exam, have questions about the process, or have experienced discomfort during a previous mammogram, let your technologist know.

Your comfort matters.

Step 2: Getting Ready

Your mammography exam takes place in a private environment. You’ll be provided with a gown and a place for your belongings.

You’ll need to remove your top and put on the gown before the exam.

A mammography technologist will be available throughout your appointment to guide you through each step.

Step 3: The Mammogram

This is the part most people think of when they hear the word “mammogram.”

During a screening mammogram, low-dose X-ray images are taken of each breast. Your breast is positioned and compressed between two plates while the images are obtained.

Compression is an important part of the exam because it spreads out the breast tissue and helps the radiologist see subtle abnormalities.

Each compression only lasts about 30 seconds.

Some people experience pressure or discomfort during compression. If you experience significant discomfort or pain, tell your technologist. They can work with you to make the experience as comfortable as possible while still obtaining quality images.

2D or 3D Mammography: What’s the Difference?

Digital breast tomosynthesis, commonly called 3D mammography, may be used in combination with 2D digital mammography.

With 3D mammography, an X-ray arm sweeps over the breast and captures multiple images from different angles. A computer then creates a three-dimensional image of the breast tissue in thin layers.

This allows the radiologist to examine the breast tissue layer by layer, much like looking through the pages of a book. Fine details can be easier to see and may be less likely to be hidden by overlapping tissue.

Step 4: The Images Are Reviewed

Once your images are complete, your appointment isn’t quite finished—but your part is.

A radiologist specializing in breast imaging will interpret your mammogram. The radiologist carefully examines the images for potential abnormalities and may compare them with previous mammograms when available.

This is where those few minutes spent getting your images can become especially important.

Mammography can detect potential abnormalities before they can be felt, which is one reason routine screening plays an important role in early detection.

Step 5: What Happens With Your Results?

For a routine screening mammogram, your final report will be sent to your health care provider, and your screening results will be communicated to you according to DINW’s standard process.

If your screening mammogram recommends additional imaging, you may be contacted about the next steps.

Getting called back for additional imaging can understandably cause anxiety, but a callback does not automatically mean cancer has been found. Additional imaging may simply be needed to take a closer look at an area or clarify something seen on the initial screening images.

If further evaluation is recommended, additional mammographic views and, in some cases, breast ultrasound may be performed.

Diagnostic mammography is different from screening mammography because it is specifically used to evaluate a breast concern or an area that needs a closer look.

What If You Have a Breast Change?

It’s important to remember that screening mammography is intended for people who do not have signs or symptoms of breast disease.

If you’ve noticed a new lump, breast mass, nipple discharge, unusual breast pain, skin changes, or another concerning change, let your health care provider know.

Don’t simply wait for your next routine screening appointment. Your provider can determine whether diagnostic breast imaging is appropriate.

So, How Long Does It Take?

A typical screening mammogram appointment takes approximately 30 minutes.

Thirty minutes might not seem like a lot of time—and that’s exactly the point.

It’s a relatively short appointment that can provide valuable information about your breast health.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Know What to Expect

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about more than remembering to schedule a mammogram. It’s also an opportunity to understand the process, ask questions, and feel more comfortable taking an active role in your breast health.

If you’ve been putting off your mammogram because you’re nervous about what to expect, remember that you don’t have to walk into your appointment knowing everything.

Our team is there to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help make your experience as comfortable as possible.

Thirty minutes. A few images. One important step toward staying informed about your breast health.

If you’re due for a screening mammogram, talk with your health care provider or contact Diagnostic Imaging Northwest to learn more about scheduling your exam.

Mammography at DINW

Screening mammography is available at DINW Sunrise, Puyallup, and Bonney Lake.

Your breast health is important every month of the year—but Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great time to make it a priority.