Mammograms

Regular breast exams are your best protection.

We encourage regular mammograms for all women who are at risk to develop breast cancer. According to current guidelines from the American College of Radiology, all women should start having annual mammograms when they turn 40.

Mammograms play an important role in detecting breast cancer early. We diagnose more patients with breast cancer at stage 0 or 1 than anyone else in our area. Early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer increases our patients’ chances of successful treatment and good outcomes.

Mass General Cancer Center at Newton-Wellesley
2014 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02462
Phone: 617-219-1230

Types of Mammograms We Offer

There are several types of mammograms. If you haven’t experienced any breast symptoms, you’ll likely receive a screening mammogram, which can show any changes that might occur in your breast before you or your doctor can feel them.

If you’ve noticed any changes in your breast during a self-exam, or if you or your doctor has noted any other breast symptoms, you may receive a diagnostic mammogram, which is customized to evaluate your potential condition. Learn more about these types of mammograms.

Depending on your screening needs, you might receive a standard 2D mammogram or a 3D mammogram, known as tomosynthesis. Tomosynthesis provides the radiologist and your referring doctor with clearer images of your breast tissue, which can reduce the need for you to have further exams. Tomosynthesis is particularly useful for women with dense breasts.

What to Expect During Your Mammogram

Once you or your doctor’s office has set up your mammogram appointment, it’s important to prepare on the day of your exam. Several common substances can show up as false areas of concern on a mammogram, so you shouldn’t wear any of the following around the arms or chest to your appointment:

• Deodorant or antiperspirant
• Lotion
• Ointment
• Powder

You can bring these items with you to your appointment and put them on once your mammogram is done. When choosing your clothes on the day of your mammogram, wear a two-piece outfit, such as a top with pants or a skirt, rather than a dress. This way, you’ll only need to remove the top portion of your clothes during the exam.

In the exam room, a technician will have you take off your top and bra and give you a gown to wear. The technician will position your breasts on the mammogram machine for the exam. Each breast will be placed on the plate of the machine, which will compress the breast for about 30 seconds. This compression reduces the amount of radiation needed to get a complete image of your breast.

Once your mammogram is complete, a radiologist will review your images and send a report to your referring doctor, who will go over the results with you. It’s important to remember that most mammograms don’t show any evidence of breast cancer or other breast conditions. As the American Cancer Society notes, only two to four screening mammograms out of every 1,000 lead to a diagnosis of breast cancer. However, it’s critical to have these exams regularly so you and your doctor can detect any changes in your breasts early for the best chances of successful treatment.