Every woman should get screened for breast cancer as part of their routine health care. Mammograms are especially important for women over the age of 40. As you get older, your chance of breast cancer grows, and the more vital these screenings become.

Five Tips When Visiting A Radiologist For A Mammogram

If you’re about to undergo your first mammogram screening, here are a few tips to make the process a smooth and easy one for you.

Wear appropriate clothing for the screening

In order for the radiologist to perform the mammogram, they will need your chest to be exposed. If you’re wearing a dress, that means you will have to strip in order to get the screening done. Instead, wear pants or a skirt so you only need to take your shirt and bra off in order to perform the screening.

If you experience pain, tell the radiologist

Taking a mammogram involves squishing your breast between two plates. It’s not comfortable, but it generally shouldn’t be painful. If you find yourself experiencing pain, let your Queens Ledger Featured radiologist know and they may be able to make adjustments in order to help keep the process as painless as possible.

Schedule your appointment away from your period

Certain factors can make your breasts tender or swollen. If you experience tender breasts or swelling, not only will the mammogram be more uncomfortable than it needs to be, and it also can lead to lower quality images.

Don’t wear deodorant, antiperspirant, or body sprays

Deodorants can show up as white specks on the mammogram, so it’s better to not wear any at all. Some body sprays may contain glitter that will also show up on the images. No matter how much you want to make a good presentation, it’s better to just bring your natural body and apply any deodorants you want to use after the mammogram.

Pregnant? Breastfeeding?

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should reschedule your mammograms until either after you deliver the baby, or 3 months after breastfeeding. If you’re at high risk for breast cancer, you noticed a lump that your health care practitioner is concerned about, or it has been a long time since you’ve been screened, there are safe ways of conducting mammograms while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding makes the tissue denser, and thus harder to see any areas of concern on the breast. You can help by pumping or breastfeeding your baby thirty minutes before your appointment.

Notice something unusual about your breast? Let them know

If you are getting a mammogram because you have noticed a lump, it’s important to let your health care provider know as soon as you are aware of it. The sooner you notice a problem, the sooner that problem can be addressed.

Mammograms usually aren’t an appointment we look forward to, but they are very important for our health. Regular screenings can catch cancer early, so if you do have to face this disease, you can do so with the best possible chance of survival.