It’s that time of year again, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Annual screening mammograms are vitally important to women’s health. They can detect changes in the breast tissue that occur and help your doctor screen for breast cancer in the earliest stages. Mammograms save lives. They are also an uncomfortable test for many. Mount Nittany Health would like to provide you with some inside advice on how to make the most of your mammogram, and give the radiologist the best images for the most accurate reading possible.
Below are some tips from your friendly mammography technologists to make your mammogram easier:
- Let your body relax into the machine. Loosen your shoulders, and even when you are instructed to hold on, maintain a firm, not tight grip.
- Posture is everything. Do your best to stand up as tall and straight as you can to allow all the breast tissue to be visualized. Keep your feet facing the machine and do not stand on your “tippy toes.” Maintain firm footing.
- If your hair is long, try to wear it up and off your face, or bring a hair tie to pull it up. This ensures there isn’t hair in the image, or with you in the machine.
- Trust your technician and let them position you, even if you have had many mammograms before. Your technician is specifically trained to know exactly how to prepare you for the best images possible.
- Caffeine will not ruin your test, but you may want to avoid it a few days before your test because it can impact breast tenderness. It is our wish for you to be as comfortable as possible.
- Avoid using deodorant, lotions, and/or powders. Some contain ingredients that show up on your mammogram. If present, new images may need to be taken.
- Wear a two-piece outfit. You will be given a short gown (longer if you need or prefer) and this makes the changing process easier.
- Talk to your mammogram technician. Please tell your technician how you are feeling. They can always make adjustments to make the process better. Also, remember to ask any questions you may have.
At Mount Nittany Health’s Breast Care Center, our team is unique, offering comfort, convenience, and compassion for your breast imaging needs.