To help you make the most out of your appointment at the Ann L. Baroco Center, our breast health team has created a quick checklist to help you come prepared.
- Schedule your mammogram when your breasts are not tender or swollen. This will help reduce discomfort and assure that we get a good, clear picture. Try to avoid the week just before your period.
- If this is your first visit to the Ann Baroco Center, please bring a list of the places and dates of previous mammograms, biopsies, or other breast treatments you have had before.
- Please bring your old films with you or have your physician’s office send them if you have had mammograms at another facility. This helps our team compare your old films to the new ones to document any changes.
- Please bring a list of medications you are currently taking to help us in filling out your personal medical history.
- Please don’t wear deodorant or antiperspirant on the day of your exam. Some of these products contain substances that can interfere with the reading of the mammogram by appearing on the x-ray film as white spots.
- Wear a two-piece outfit to your exam. This way, you will only need to remove your blouse for the exam.
- Be prepared to describe any pertinent medical history. This includes prior surgeries, hormone use and family or personal history of breast cancer. Also, be prepared to discuss any new findings or problems with your breasts.
Appointment Walk-Through
When you arrive for your mammogram at the Ann L. Baroco Center, please check in at the front desk, and then have a seat in our comfortable living room.
When your name is called, you will be escorted to a private room, where you can change and prepare for your mammogram. Our staff will also ask you questions about your personal medical history, as well as your current medications.
During your mammogram, you will stand in front of a special x-ray machine and place your breasts one at a time between two plastic plates. During a mammogram, the breast is compressed in order to produce a clear x-ray. Some women find this procedure less uncomfortable if they schedule a mammogram right after their period, when the breasts are less tender. Routinely, two pictures are taken of each breast--one from the side and one from above.
Follow-Up Care & Results
The results of your mammogram will be mailed to you and to your physician within 10 working days. If one of our radiologists sees an area of concern in your results, you will be contacted immediately to schedule an appointment for additional images.
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