When should you have a mammogram?
The American Cancer Society recommends that every woman have a yearly mammogram beginning at age 40. This serves as a baseline for later comparison. Women 40 to 49 should have a mammogram every year or two, depending on their relative risk of developing a problem. Women over 50 should have a mammogram every year. Your doctor may recommend a different schedule, depending on factors such as family history or previous symptoms. We strongly recommend active participation by all women in a person early detection breast program, consisting of routine breast examination by your physician, breast self-examination, and mammography.

Procedure/What to expect
Two or three pictures of each breast will be obtained. Additional views may be needed, and are not a cause for alarm.. These additional views are taken if we need a clearer view of a certain part of the breast, or if you or your doctor have a specific complaint or problem. Your breasts will be compressed for each image obtained. This may be uncomfortable, but not harmful. Breast compression is necessary to provide clearer pictures of your breast and to minimize x-ray dosage to the breasts. You may want to consider scheduling your mammogram at a time when your breast are not tender to reduce discomfort. (Did you know that stopping caffeine can be a great help in reducing breast tenderness?)