Women's Services
An Advocate
For Accuracy.
Exam Preparations
Mammography
How should I prepare?
Please bring a disc or films from any prior mammograms, if done at a facility other than The St. Vincent Breast Center. If you would like St. Vincent Breast Center to request these on your behalf, please fill out our medical records release form (please do so 1 month prior to your appointment – it could take up to 3 weeks to obtain films from out of state).
Bring a list of your medications.
On the day of the examination, do not wear talcum powder, deodorant, lotion or perfume under your arms or on your breasts. These substances can cause artifacts on your mammogram making the images harder to interpret. Deodorant will be available to you after your exam.
Wear two-piece clothing so that you only have to remove your top and bra for the examination.
To help minimize discomfort during your exam, consider scheduling your mammogram during the two weeks following your menstrual cycle (when breasts are often less tender).
If your breasts are especially tender, you may take an over-the-counter analgesic an hour before your appointment time.
Please bring any pertinent history to your appointment: prior surgeries, hormone use, family or personal history of breast cancer.
What should I expect?
Your mammogram will be performed by a mammography-certified female technologist. After you check in, you will be escorted to a private dressing room, where you will be asked to undress from the waist up. You will be given a gown that opens in the front. The technologist will ask you several questions, so she can better understand your history and/or any problems you may be having.
When will I receive results?
Screening mammography results will be sent to you and your physician within two weeks. If you are called back for additional mammographic views, do not be alarmed. More views or ultrasound are sometimes needed in order to make an accurate diagnosis. If this is the case a member of our staff will contact you personally to discuss scheduling a diagnostic mammogram.
Diagnostic mammogram results are provided to you in a summary manner at the time of the mammogram. Your referring physician will receive the official results of your exam within 24-48 hours of your visit.
