Mammograms Are Now Available in the Convenience of Our Office.

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is an x-ray exam of the breast. It is used to detect and evaluate breast changes, in women who have no breast complaints or symptoms and in women who have breast symptoms (problems such as a lump, pain, or nipple discharge). Mammograms are most often used to look for cancer in women who have no symptoms. These are called screening mammograms.

How is a mammogram done?

When you have a mammogram, your breast is compressed between an x-ray plate and a plastic plate. Both plates are attached to the mammogram machine. Any discomfort only lasts for a few seconds. The entire procedure for a mammogram takes only a few minutes.

At WHS, we use the latest in mammogram technology. All the equipment is FDA approved and we only use digital equipment which is the best technology available. Thus, the image is displayed on a video monitor and read by a radiologist.

A screening mammogram is an x-ray exam of the breast on a woman who has no symptoms. The goal of a screening mammogram is to find cancer when it is still too small to be felt by a woman or her doctor. Finding small breast cancers early by a screening mammogram greatly improves a woman’s chance for successful treatment. A screening mammogram usually takes 2 x-ray pictures (views) of each breast.

American Cancer Society recommendations for early breast cancer detection.
Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year, and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.

Mammograms do have some limitations. Although mammograms will detect most breast cancers, a small percentage will be missed. But mammograms, despite their limitations, are the most effective and valuable tool for decreasing suffering and death from breast cancer.

Tips for having a mammogram

The following are useful suggestions to help you be sure that you will have a good quality mammogram:

• Schedule your mammogram by calling the office at 901.682.9222. We’ll try to do it on the same day as your annual gynecologic exam if that is most convenient for you.
• Bring a list of the places, dates of mammograms, biopsies, or other breast treatments you have had before.
• If you have had mammograms in the past, you should try to get those mammograms to bring with you.
• On the day of the exam, don’t wear deodorant or anti-perspirant. Some of these have substances that can show up on the x-ray as white spots.
• You may find it easier to wear a skirt or pants, so that you’ll only need to remove your top and bra for the mammogram.
• If you are still having periods, schedule your mammogram when your breasts are not tender or swollen to help reduce discomfort and to ensure a good picture. Try to avoid the week just before your period.
• Before having a mammogram, let us know if you are breast-feeding or if you think you might be pregnant.
• If you do not hear from us within one week, do not assume that your mammogram was normal -- call us at 901.682.9222.

What to expect when you have a mammogram

• Having a mammogram requires that you undress above the waist.
• A technologist will position your breasts for the mammogram. You and the technologist are the only ones in the room during the mammogram.
• You may feel some discomfort or even pain when your breasts are compressed. If you are in pain, tell the technologist so she can try to make the compression more comfortable for you.
• On average, only 2 to 4 screening mammograms of every 1,000 lead to a diagnosis of cancer. About 10% of women who have a mammogram will need more tests, but most will only need another mammogram. Don't panic if this happens to you. Only 8% to 10% of those women will need a biopsy, and most (80%) of those biopsies will not be cancer.

Radiation exposure from mammography

The digital mammography machine produces breast x-rays that are high in image quality but uses a low radiation dose (usually about 0.1 to 0.2 rads per picture). This is a very small dose of radiation and will not harm you in any way. It will not increase your chances of developing breast cancer or any other form of cancer.

7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: (901) 682-9222; Fax: (901) 682-9505

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