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Mammography: Your Best Defense Against Breast Cancer
More women get breast cancer than any other form of cancer. A mammogram, or breast X-ray, can find early cancers that are often too small to be found during other checks. Make an appointment with your personal physician or provider to discuss mammograms.
Breast Exams Generally Are Recommended As Follows
- Yearly mammograms for women ages 50 and above
- Mammograms every one to two years for women between the ages of 40 and 49
- Monthly breast self-exams for women ages 20+
- Clinical breast exam by your personal physician or provider approximately every year ages 20+, talk with your doctor to decide how often.
Talk to Your Doctor
- If you have had previous breast or uterine cancer
- If you have a mother or sister who has had breast cancer
- If you've had a long menstrual history (beginning before age 12, or lasting more than 40 years)
- No pregnancies, or if your first pregnancy was after age 35
The mammogram procedure only takes about 20 minutes. This is an important investment of your time.
To Prepare for Your Mammogram, Consider These Tips
- Take a shower or bath before the mammogram. Do not put deodorant, powder, lotion, or perfume on your breasts or under your arms before the test.
- Wear a two-piece clothing outfit because you will have to take off your top clothes. You will wear a hospital gown during the test.
- Do not wear jewelry around your neck.
If you haven't had a mammogram in the past year and are within the age and risk guidelines above, please talk to your physician or provider, schedule an appointment, or call the toll-free Providence Prevention Line at 1-888-257-8622 for assistance.
To learn more about breast cancer and mammograms, visit Providence Health & Services' Breast Cancer Health Resource Center.
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