What happens at the mammogram?
During the exam:
- You’ll be asked to wear a gown and provide a health history for you and your family — your answers about your health history will provide clues to your breast cancer risk.
- In the exam room, each breast is placed between two plates to capture an x-ray image.
- Two x-rays of each breast are taken — one from the top and the other from the side.
Does it hurt?
- The goal is to make you as comfortable as possible while still getting a high-quality x-ray image.
- The pressure may be uncomfortable but lasts only a few seconds.
- To help reduce pain, avoid scheduling your mammogram before or during your menstrual cycle, and also consider skipping your morning cup of coffee.
What happens after my mammogram?
After your exam:
- A radiologist will review your images and write a report, and if anything seems abnormal, a follow-up exam will be requested.
- The imaging center can inform you when to expect your results letter. If you don’t receive your results within that time, don’t assume your exam was normal. Contact your imaging facility.
- A full report of the results of your mammogram will also be sent to your health provider.
How can I better understand my mammogram report?
- Radiologists have a reporting system and use specific phrases to report mammogram results.
- The reporting system, called BI-RADS®, assigns your result a score between 0 and 6 and describes any notable findings.
- Mammogram reports categorize breast density into four composition categories — a, b, c, or d — to describe how much dense (fibroglandular) tissue versus fatty (adipose) tissue is in your breasts.
What do I need to do if I'm told I have dense breasts?
- Breasts are composed of dense (fibrograndular) and fatty (adipose) tissue. A mammography report categorizes the breast tissue into a breast density category: a, b, c, or d.
- Having dense tissue is common — nearly half of the women over the age of 40 in the United States have dense breasts1.
- It’s important to know your breast density because denser breasts can camouflage cancer on a mammogram and increase your lifetime risk of developing cancer. If you have high breast density, consider getting additional screening beyond your mammogram.
What if I'm asked to return for more testing?
More tests may be needed after your mammogram for a number of reasons:
- The mammogram image was unclear and needs to be retaken.
- Your prior mammograms were not available for comparison and your doctor may want to further examine an area.
- You have dense breasts and may be asked to have an ultrasound or other exam.
- Your risk assessment score indicated you are at higher risk of developing breast cancer and a genetic test might be appropriate.
What's next?
It's important to advocate for your own health.
Be informed
Learn about breast cancer risk factors, your breast density, and ways to reduce your cancer risk.
Learn your risk
Consider taking a comprehensive risk assessment so you’ll know your overall risk for breast cancer. You’ll need to contact your doctor and share your family’s health history as well as your own health facts to achieve the most accurate risk assessment.
Get involved
Sign up to receive additional information from this site, including opportunities to provide feedback on patient education and advocacy projects.
How does Volpara work to prevent breast cancer?
- As a leader in volumetric density measurement, Volpara builds its products on extensive research in x-ray physics and artificial intelligence.
- Volpara® Scorecard™ software calculates breast density automatically. This provides radiologists with precise, objective information that helps them provide personalized breast screening and understand the effectiveness of each patient’s mammogram.
- Volpara’s company mission is to save families from cancer, and this mission guides every product innovation.
- As part of that mission, Volpara has created enhancements for mammography report letters to improve education for patients. The Volpara ThumbnailTM section enables the breast center to include: two non-diagnostic mammogram images from the exam, the percentage of breast density, and a link to a website for more information about breast density.
Have questions? Learn more here.
1. Pisano et al. Diagnostic Performance of Digital versus Film Mammography for Breast–Cancer Screening. NEJM 2005;353:1773.
Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, or a substitute for such advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always consult with your healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment, including your specific medical needs. Volpara Health does not recommend or endorse any specific methods of supplemental screening or treatment.
