Scheduling: If you experience hormonal or caffeine-related breast pain, schedule your screening mammogram approximately 7-10 days after beginning your menstrual cycle (at lowest hormonal levels and associated breast tenderness/lumpiness) and limit your caffeine intake the week before the mammogram. Diagnostic mammograms should be scheduled as soon as possible for new findings on exam or symptoms.
Be sure to either bring prior outside mammograms (breast ultrasounds, MRIs, breast biopsies) with you to the appointment (on CD) or sign an electronic consent with Boutique Breast Imaging in advance so we can ask to have your prior images sent to us electronically before the exam. This is VERY IMPORTANT for you to have us be able to compare the current exam with prior images, if possible.
Wear a two-piece outfit and comfortable shoes. You will undress from the waist up and change into a robe. Limit any jewelry (no necklaces or long earrings) or leave jewelry at home to avoid the risk of losing it.
Avoid use of deodorant and body lotions (which produce artifacts on the images) the day of your mammogram. (Wipe off armpit area well before coming in for your mammogram).
It is not necessary to avoid food or drink before your mammogram, so eat or drink as you normally would the day of your appointment. If you are prone to fainting, be sure to eat a full meal before your exam and stay hydrated. Take your normal daily medications.
If you are worried about experiencing pain during your mammogram, or if you have experienced pain during a previous mammogram, talk to your doctor about taking an over-the-counter pain medication about 1 hour before your mammogram (on a full stomach).
Share important information with your mammogram technician. It is important that you communicate the following information to your mammogram technician before the screening begins: Any breast changes or problems you are experiencing If you have breast implants If you have trouble standing or holding still (without a cane or walker) If you are breastfeeding If you are or think you might be pregnant
Try to relax! This important screening will take only a few minutes. Most screening exams are NORMAL, and if not, abnormal diagnoses are usually entirely curable.
