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A mammogram is a safe test, which uses a low-dose x-ray machine to take pictures of and look for problems with a woman's breasts. Mammograms allow radiologists to look for breast lumps and changes in breast tissue. They can show small lumps or growths that may not be felt during a clinical breast exam.
Mammography involves a very low dose of radiation to the portion of the breast under exam. The dose is much lower than the natural level of radiation that every person receives from the environment during one year.
For example, the average mammogram (four views) has a typical effective radiation dose of 70 millirems (a measure of radiation dose equivalent). As a comparison, the average person in the US receives a dose equivalent of 300 millirems per year from natural sources.
For more information, call the Ob/Gyn Department at 203-432-0222 with any questions or refer to the following web sites:
National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service
800-422-6237
American Cancer Society
800-227-2345
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
800-462-9273
The facility will send you a letter with the results of your mammogram or you will be contacted if any follow-up care is needed with the results of your mammogram.
When you make your appointment, you will be given instructions you may need to follow before you go. Some general guidelines include:
Before your mammogram, discuss any new findings or problems in your breasts with your primary care clinician or Ob/Gyn clinician. In addition, inform your clinician of any prior surgeries, hormone use, and family or personal history of breast cancer.
Make your appointment for one week after your period, when your breasts are less likely to be tender.
Bring previous mammograms, breast sonograms, and reports to your appointment so that they are available to the radiologist, who needs the prior information in order to make comparisons to your current mammogram.
Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the exam. Inform the technologist of your previous breast history.
Inform the technologist of the date of your last clinical breast exam and your menstrual cycle (if appropriate).
Wear a shirt and a separate bottom, rather than a dress. This way, you can undress from the waist up and leave other clothes on.
Avoid coffee, tea or caffeinated soft drinks for a few days, before a mammogram. Caffeine can cause breast tenderness.
Don't wear deodorant, perfume, lotion, or powder under your arms or on your breasts on the day of your appointment, as these can cause shadows on the mammogram.
If you have breast implants, be sure to tell your mammography facility when you make your appointment. You will need a technologist who is trained in x-raying patients with implants because breast implants can hide some tissue.
Adequate compression is necessary for the radiologist to see the breast tissue better. Compression of the breast also lowers the radiation dose. Women who have tender breasts may experience discomfort.
If you are afraid or nervous about feeling pain during your mammogram please discuss this with the technologist before the examination. The technologist will work with you to make you as comfortable as possible while still taking good-quality images.
The radiological technician places one breast at a time between two plastic plates, which press the breast to flatten it. You will feel pressure and possibly some discomfort for a few seconds. The flatter your breast is, the better the picture. Usually, two pictures are taken of each breast, one from the side and one from above. A screening mammogram appointment takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.
Yale Health members do not need referrals for screening mammograms and may call the Yale Breast Center directly at 203-688-1010 to schedule an appointment. However, please give the mammography center your primary care clinician's or Ob/Gyn clinician's name so your results can be forwarded to them. If Yale Health is not your primary insurance, please verify coverage and the need for a referral with your primary insurance company.
Diagnostic mammograms require that an order from your clinician be sent to the Yale Mammography Center. If you require a diagnostic mammogram, please contact your primary care clinician.
Screening mammograms are for women who have no breast problems or symptoms of breast cancer. When you reach age 40, you should have a screening mammogram every 1 to 2 years.
Diagnostic mammograms are performed on women who have breast problems or symptoms, such as lumps, nipple discharge, or as a follow up to screening mammograms.
Yale Health members may obtain screening mammograms from the Yale-New Haven Breast Center at various locations by calling 203-688-1010 to schedule an appointment.
Locations include:
Yale-New Haven Breast Center, Smilow Cancer Hospital, 35 Park Street, New Haven
Long Wharf Medical Center, 150 Sargent Drive, New Haven
Shoreline Medical Center, 111 Goose Lane, Guilford
Diagnostic Radiology, 317 Foxon Road, East Haven
While you should talk to your primary care clinician about when to start and how often you should have a mammogram, Yale Health has adopted the following guidelines:
Several reputable organizations such as the American Cancer Society, US Preventive Health Task Force, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists make similar recommendations about the frequency of mammography.
No. Yale Health does not offer mammography or breast ultrasound exams at the Yale Health Center at 55 Lock Street.
Yale Health members may obtain screening mammograms by calling 203-688-1010 for any one of the following facilities:
Yale-New Haven Breast Center, Smilow Cancer Hospital, 35 Park Street, New Haven
Long Wharf Medical Center, 150 Sargent Drive, New Haven
Shoreline Medical Center, 111 Goose Lane, Guilford
Temple Radiology, 317 Foxon Road, East Haven
