What to Expect at Your First Mammogram Appointment

Booking your first mammogram can bring up plenty of questions.

Will it hurt? What should you wear? What actually happens during the test? And what happens afterward?

Knowing what to expect can make your first mammogram feel much less intimidating. Here is a simple guide to help you arrive feeling prepared.

1. Is This Breast Change Normal?

Breasts can change with age, hormonal fluctuations, periods, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause.

But a new or unusual change deserves attention.

Tell your doctor about any lump, persistent pain, nipple discharge, skin change, swelling or change in breast shape you have noticed. Ask what could be causing it and whether further evaluation is needed.

What Is a Mammogram?

A mammogram is a specialised X-ray examination of the breasts. It can help identify breast changes, including some that may be too small to feel during a self-check or clinical breast examination.

Mammography may be performed as routine breast screening or to investigate concerns such as a breast lump, nipple discharge or another unusual change.

How Should You Prepare?

A mammogram requires very little preparation.

Wear a comfortable two-piece outfit, as you will need to remove clothing from the waist up.

On the day of your appointment, you may be asked to avoid deodorants, antiperspirants, powders, creams or lotions around your breasts and underarms, as some products can interfere with mammogram images.

Also tell the mammography team about:

breast lumps or other changes you have noticed
previous breast surgery or biopsy
breast implants
pregnancy or the possibility of pregnancy
breastfeeding
previous breast imaging

This information can help the team plan your examination appropriately.

What Happens During a Mammogram?

You will stand in front of a specialised mammography machine while a trained technologist positions one breast at a time on the imaging platform.

The breast is placed between two plates and compressed briefly while an image is captured. It is then repositioned to obtain the necessary views before the process is repeated for the other breast.

You may be asked to remain still or briefly hold your breath while an image is taken.

Does a Mammogram Hurt?

You are likely to feel firm pressure or tightness during breast compression. Some women find it uncomfortable, while others experience very little discomfort.

The compression lasts only a few seconds for each image and is important because it spreads the breast tissue, allowing clearer images to be obtained.

Tell the technologist when you feel particularly sensitive or uncomfortable.

What Happens After Your Mammogram?

Once the required images have been taken, they are reviewed by an appropriately qualified doctor or radiologist.

Sometimes additional mammogram images or a breast ultrasound may be recommended.

Being called for another image or test does not automatically mean breast cancer has been found. An area may simply need to be examined more clearly.

What About 3D Mammography?

3D mammography, also known as Digital Breast Tomosynthesis, captures breast images from multiple angles, allowing the tissue to be examined in greater detail.

The experience is broadly similar to conventional mammography, including brief breast positioning and compression.

At Prajnam Breast Centre, breast screening and diagnostic services include 2D and 3D digital mammography, advanced breast ultrasound and further diagnostic evaluation when clinically required.

Your First Mammogram Doesn't Have to Feel Intimidating

For many women, thinking about their first mammogram feels more overwhelming than the appointment itself.

Knowing what will happen can make the experience easier and help you ask the right questions along the way.

Your first mammogram may be unfamiliar. Your breast health does not have to remain unknown.