Mary Clay

Here's what to expect during a digital mammogram:

1. The technologist will come to the gowned waiting area to get you for your exam. Once inside the mammography room, the technologist will document and verify your breast history for the interpreting radiologist. She will check your breasts for

Mammography is not a perfect science. Besides missing about 10 percent of cancers, it has also been known to sound false alarms, sometimes leading to surgical biopsies that later turned out to be unnecessary. Fortunately, there are things women can do to increase their likelihood of an accurate

When scheduling your mammogram, please let the scheduler know of the following:

• If you have had prior mammograms, the scheduler will need to know when and where they were located.
• If you have special needs (wheelchair/walker needs, interpreter services, etc.)
• If you are pregnant or nursing

It is estimated that half of all women in the U.S. will seek consultation for a breast disorder in their lifetime. That's why it is vitally important for women to be proactive and get regular breast health care. Early detection of problems provides the greatest possibility of successful treatment.

A woman whose mother, sister or daughter has had breast cancer is at higher risk. The risk is increased if the family member's cancer affected both breasts or was diagnosed before menopause. That's when a form of breast cancer that tends to run in families is more common. Women who carry

Your report will be in the mail within 7 to 10 days of your visit -- after your films have been reviewed by a board-certified, specially trained radiologist. Radiologists use computer-aided detection (CAD) technology, which increases the likelihood of detecting small or early-stage cancers.

To prepare for your mammogram:

1. Limit caffeinated products 3 to 5 days before your exam.
2. Most women prefer to wear a two-piece outfit for comfort.
3. Do not apply deodorant, powder, lotions or sunscreen to the breast and underarm area. These may contain ingredients that may interfere with the

Most women who have had a mammogram will tell you that breast compression is uncomfortable but not painful. It is a good idea, however, to schedule your mammogram when your breasts are least tender -- typically two or three days following the end of your menstrual cycle. You may also want to

An abnormal mammogram does not necessarily mean you have breast disease or cancer. As many as 10 percent of women who have mammograms are called back for further evaluation. The majority find out through further tests that they are fine.

Before a mammogram, you will be escorted to the dressing room by one of the breast center staff. You will be instructed to undress from the waist up. The staff will provide you a gown to wear. Please have the opening in the front of the body. You will be given a wipe to remove any deodorant,

Studies show that the breast X-ray can detect a lump two years before it can be felt and can identify up to 90 percent of breast cancers. That's why the American Cancer Society recommends that women have a mammogram done once a year starting at age 40. Women with a family history of breast

Most changes women find in their breasts are not cancer. In fact, 90% of these conditions are benign. 

Fibrocystic breasts, for example, are a normal variant. We believe this raised our risk for breast cancer in the future, but it does not. Some atypical lesions, which are benign, can raise the risk for

Being a woman is the greatest risk factor for breast cancer. While men can and do develop breast cancer, there are only about 1,000 new cases of male breast cancer diagnosed annually in the United States -- 1% of all breast cancers. Age, as well as family, personal and reproductive history,

A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray used to routinely evaluate a woman's breast health. It helps doctors see whether there are any abnormalities or changes in the breast tissue that may need to be further explored. It is a screening tool, and it is also a diagnostic tool for investigating lumps or