FAQs & Patient information

Mammograms save lives.  The next one could be yours.  Screening mammograms are the single best tool to find breast cancer at its earliest stages – long before you or your doctor can feel a lump.  One simple test can make a life-saving difference.  At BIO you will have your mammogram performed by skilled technologists and interpreted by experts in breast imaging.  It is our mission to fight breast cancer through early and accurate detection; to save lives by catching cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.

Every major American medical organization with expertise in breast cancer care, including the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), American Cancer Society, American College of Radiology, and Society of Breast Imaging recommend that women begin yearly screening mammograms at age 40.  Women who have a higher risk of developing breast cancer due to family history or other factors may need to start breast cancer screening at an earlier age.  Before your mammogram the technologist will ask several questions about your personal health and family histories to determine your risk.  With that information the radiologist will develop a personalized breast cancer screening plan just for you. 

The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age, with a majority of women being diagnosed after the age of 50.  According to the American Cancer Society women should continue to undergo mammographic screening annually for as long as they are in good health. 

Before your exam you will be given an individual dressing room with a locker that you may lock to secure your belongings.  We ask that you remove any jewelry that might interfere with the x-ray picture and undress above the waist.  You will wear the luxurious spa robe provided for your test(s) and will return to your dressing room when finished.

One at a time your breasts will be positioned onto a flat plate that will acquire the images while a paddle compresses your breast tissue.  Firm compression is needed for a quality examination.  You will be instructed to hold your breath for just a few seconds while the machine acquires an image.  You may be asked to raise your arm or to use your hand to hold your other breast out of the way.  Pictures are taken from the top and from the side of each breast.  The entire exam takes approximately 15 minutes.  Most women do not experience pain while getting their mammogram, but varying levels of discomfort are reported.  Our highly experienced technologists will ensure that you are in the most comfortable position possible and will complete your exam quickly, lessening the length of time in compression.

Yes!  Patients with implants undergo screening mammogram routinely without any problems.  Let your technologist know that you have implants before your examination so they can perform special images in order to better evaluate your breast tissue.  It is extremely rare for breast implants to be damaged during a mammogram.  The benefits of early detection of breast cancer far outweigh this risk.  

 Mammography is currently the best test to find breast cancer early. However, about 10% of cancers cannot be seen mammographically.  Therefore, it is still recommended that women have a clinical breast exam, which is a physical examination of the breasts performed by a healthcare professional, on a regular basis. Being familiar with how your breasts look and feel is also important so you can alert your clinician if you notice any changes. This is called breast self-awareness. Many experts now say that women should focus on breast self-awareness instead of doing a breast self-examination (BSE) as was previously advised.  Breast self-awareness is more about knowing what is normal for your breasts than it is about following a certain method and schedule.  Knowing your body and having good beast self-awareness will allow you to notice even small changes right away.

Call your provider if you notice any changes in your breasts that concern you. These changes may include a lump, skin reddening or thickening, clear or bloody discharge from the nipple or new nipple inversion.

Breast density is important because women who have dense breast tissue have a slightly higher chance of developing breast cancer than women with average or fatty breast density.  Dense breast tissue also makes it more difficult for cancer to be seen on mammograms.  Breast density is determined by the radiologist who reads your mammogram.  They will assign you one of four categories of breast density:

1. Almost entirely fatty

2. Scattered fibroglandular tissue

3. Heterogeneously dense

4. Extremely dense

If you have heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breasts, and depending on your individual breast cancer risk, you may be advised to have a supplemental screening test, such as whole-breast ultrasound or contrast-enhanced mammography in conjunction with your annual mammogram.

Knowing your breast cancer risk is important.  Every patient undergoes a risk questionnaire and assessment prior to their mammogram.  If your average lifetime risk for developing breast cancer is calculated as 20% or greater, you are considered high-risk.  Being classified as high-risk can mean access to additional screening options as well as insurance coverage for these studies.