How to Prepare for Your Appointment

The American College of Radiology, the Society of Breast Imaging, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, recommend that all women have yearly mammograms starting at age 40. To better prepare for your appointment, please use our How to Prepare for your Appointment guide below:

• Please bring any prior images to your appointment on a disc. If you do not have your prior images, we are happy to help you obtain them, though this may delay the reading of your mammogram.  
• Upon check in, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire to then go over with your technologist 
• If you are having any of the following symptoms, please alert our staff when scheduling: 
  • A lump on or close to the breast or underarm 
  • A change in the texture of your breast or nipple – this often feels like the texture of an orange peel
  • A lump in the breast – please remember not all lumps are cancerous but should be evaluated by a healthcare professional
  • Any unexplained change in the size or shape of your breast 
  • Dimpling anywhere on the breast 
  • Unexplained shrinkage or swelling of your breast (especially if only on one side) Please keep in mind that it is common for women to have one breast that is slightly larger than the other, however, if the onset of asymmetry is recent, it should be evaluated by a healthcare professional 
  • Any nipple discharge or swelling
• You will not need to stop any medication prior to your exam or scheduled biopsy (this includes blood thinners) 
• You will be given wipes to remove your deodorant, please make sure to wipe thoroughly as deodorant may give false findings. 
• Help your technologist obtain the best images possible by following directions and holding still while the images are being taken.