When it comes to breast health, early detection is the best prevention. Women should have regular mammograms beginning at age 40, or sooner if recommended by their health care provider.
What to Expect During Your Mammogram
A mammogram is a X-ray picture of the breast used to detect tumors and cysts and help differentiate benign and malignant diseases. It's an important screening tool in a woman's personal fight against breast cancer. Your technologist will take a brief history from you, and then begin your mammography exam.
During your mammogram, your breast will be placed on a flat surface by the mammographer. A compression paddle will then be pressed firmly against the breast to flatten out the tissue. Although the pressure of the mammogram only lasts a few seconds, some women find it uncomfortable. Please tell your technologist what you are experiencing and how you feel. They will be able to respond to your specific needs and address your concerns to assure you have the best possible mammogram experience. It may be uncomfortable but should not be painful. The screening should take about 15-30 minutes to complete.
A More Comfortable Mammogram
Getting a mammogram with the SmartCurve™ system is just like a getting a regular Genius Exam™ - only more comfortable! The curved design of the compression device mirrors the shape of a woman's breast to reduce pinching and applies uniform compression over the entire breast for added comfort.The technologist will view the images of your breast at the computer workstation to ensure quality images have been captured for review. A radiologist will then examine the images and report results to either your physician or directly to you. Check with your clinic or provider to see if this technology is available near you.
In order to prepare for your mammogram, please:
- If possible, have a physical exam (including a breast examination) from your health care provider prior to your mammogram.
- Schedule your mammogram when your breasts are the least tender. If you are menstruating, that will be one week after your period.
- Wear a separate top and bottom so that it will be easier and more comfortable to disrobe from your waist up.
- Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder, ointment or lotion on your breasts or underarm area.
- Be able to share where and when you have had prior mammograms so we can obtain them prior to your appointment.
- It is recommended that women begin annual mammograms and medical breast exams at age 40.
- If you have a family history of breast cancer, please talk to your primary care provider about when you should start getting mammograms and how often you should get them.
- If you are a transgender individual, it’s important to discuss specific breast cancer screening needs with your primary care provider.
Several of the communities we serve have programs that offer free or low cost mammograms to individuals who are underinsured or uninsured. Please reach out to the contact below to find out if you’re eligible.
Care for Yourself: Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings
The Care for Yourself program provides free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings to qualified Iowans. Visit the Care for Yourself website to see if you’re eligible.
To enroll, call 1-866-399-7909, visit the Care For Yourself website or talk with a primary care provider at a location/organization listed below. After you enroll and are approved, you’ll be seen at an approved screening location closest to you.
- Des Moines, IA partnership with Iowa Department of Public Health
- Fort Dodge, IA partnership with Webster County Public Health (WCPH)
- Grinnell, IA partnership with Polk County Health Department Healthy Women + Poweshiek County Public Health
- Quad Cities/Muscatine, IA partnership with Trinity Muscatine Public Health. Call (563) 263-0122.
- Sioux City, IA partnership with Iowa Department of Public Health
Pink Days: Free Mammogram Program
Pink Days is a free mammogram program for uninsured and underinsured women in the Des Moines area that includes follow-up diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds, if needed. Women who require additional testing beyond this, or those diagnosed with cancer or a pre-cancerous condition, will be enrolled in the Iowa Care for Yourself program for further testing and treatment.
To see if you qualify, complete the Pink Days Request Form and a representative will contact you.
Early detection is the best defense against breast cancer, and mammography has been the gold standard screening examination for the early detection of it. Since the development of standard mammography, there have been major advances in the technology. Digital 2D mammography was the most recent advancement introduced. Now, DBT or 3D Mammography, has taken this technology to a new level.
The breast is a three-dimensional object composed of different structures, such as blood vessels, milk ducts, fat and ligaments. All these structures, which are located at different levels within the breast, can overlap and cause uncertainty when viewed as a two-dimensional, flat image. The uncertainty of overlapping tissue is a leading reason why small breast cancers may be missed and normal tissue may appear abnormal, leading to unnecessary call-backs.
3D Mammograms FAQ
By looking at the breast tissue in one millimeter slices, the radiologist can provide a more accurate assessment. 3D mammography provides a 25 percent improvement in overall cancer detection rates, finding 40 percent more invasive cancers than conventional mammography. It also means there is less chance of you being called back for a "second look" mammogram because of overlapped normal structures. The "false positive" rates are reduced by up to 40 percent.