Mammograms Matter: What to Expect to Help Ease the Fears

Getting a mammogram can be an emotional process. While breast screenings are proven to save lives through early detection, uncertainties around the experience and anxiety about the potential results cause some to delay scheduling an appointment.

Renown Health's breast health teams provide an experience that prioritizes comfort every step of the way.

Easing Anxieties around Mammograms

Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the U.S. each year, making early detection through mammogram screenings an essential part of a woman’s healthcare journey.

Mammograms are noninvasive X-rays used to detect cancer and other abnormalities in the breast. They are the most effective screening tool for detecting breast cancer early, allowing for timely treatment before the disease spreads, which improves outcomes.

Here are some common concerns and what you should know:

• Pain or discomfort: While mammograms do involve breast compression, the experience is typically quick and only mildly uncomfortable. Most patients report feeling a little pressure, but don’t often describe it as painful.
• Emotional discomfort or feeling exposed: For this exam, patients need to undress from the waist up and will be given a gown to wear. Some people prefer to wear pants or a skirt, which can remain on under the gown.
• Fear of results: The possibility of an abnormal finding can feel overwhelming. The trained care team is ready to discuss next steps and recommendations for anything that might show up.

When Should Women Start Getting Mammograms?

Renown Women's Health recommends the following breast exam guidelines:

• Age 18-39: Consult your primary care provider for a Risk Assessment and begin annual breast exams at age 25.
• Age 40+: Maintain annual mammography screenings.
• Family history: If there is family history of breast cancer, it’s recommended that you begin screening 10 years before the youngest family member's age at diagnosis.
• Self-awareness: Be familiar with the look and feel of your breasts and report any changes to your care provider.
• Age 75+: Continue annual mammograms if life expectancy exceeds five to seven years.

What to Expect at a Renown Mammogram Appointment

Before the appointment

Patients are asked to shower before arriving, but to avoid wearing deodorant, lotion or powder on the upper body on the day of the scan; these products can interfere with imaging.

After checking

In Patients may be asked to fill out additional paperwork before the screening. A technician will call patients back and guide them to a private changing area with cabinets for personal belongings. After changing into the provided wraparound top, they will be taken to an exam room for the mammography.

During the scan

The exam usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. A licensed technician positions the patient and takes several images from different angles. Compression lasts only a few seconds per image.

After the exam

Most patients return to their day with little to no soreness. Results typically arrive within 24 to 48 hours, and Renown’s team is available to follow up if additional imaging or care is needed.

How Accurate are Mammograms?

3-D mammography technology at Renown Imaging can detect 41% more cancers and reduce the number of false-positive results compared to plain film mammography.

Benefits of 3-D mammography include:

• Providing better, clearer images, with higher diagnostic accuracy
• Allowing radiologists to see more abnormalities in the breast
• Helping doctors spot more cancers and avoid false positives, especially if you have dense breast tissue
• Reduced callback rates for findings on screening

Why Choose Renown for A Mammogram?

Renown’s newest breast health imaging location in the Conrad Breast Center at Renown South Meadows is one of five places offering convenient, self-scheduling for mammogram appointments. The breast imaging team is experienced, compassionate and focused on patient comfort. Should follow-up care be needed, the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute at Renown Health is the only comprehensive breast center in Northern Nevada and is fully accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). An oncology breast nurse navigator can serve as your ongoing resource from diagnosis through treatment and during survivorship. Renown also has the only dedicated breast cancer surgeons in the area who specialize in all aspects of breast health. William N. Pennington Cancer Institute provides a multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer treatment and care, and we use the latest early detection technology to save lives.

The Bottom Line: Mammograms Save Lives

While fear and anxiety are normal, delaying a mammogram could delay a diagnosis. Early detection offers more treatment options and better outcomes.

If you’re 40 or older, or if you have any risk factors for breast cancer like a strong family history of breast cancer, talk to your provider about scheduling a mammogram. Renown Health offers state-of-the-art imaging technology and an expert team ready to guide you through the screening process.

Easily schedule your 3D mammogram online at any Renown Imaging Breast Health location.

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35,168 women have put their breast health first at Renown this year!

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