What is a mammogram like?

Simple & easy: You will be taken into a room with the mammogram machine. Your breast will be put between 2 plates (ask for a soft pad on the bottom). Once the picture is taken the compression (squeeze) is released instantly. The purpose of the squeeze is to flatten out your natural breast lumps so that abnormalities can be seen.If you have tender breasts, consider taking a pain medicine 1 hour before.

Needs compression: Most centers in the us take two images. One is oblique (called a medial lateral oblique or mlo) and one is head to toe (called craniocaudal or cc). Compression is required in both projections and this part can be painful. Once the images are obtained they are evaluated by a radiologist who has satisfied certain criteria established by the fda. A report should be available that day or within 1 week.

Mammo: The tech will ask you to stand facing the mammo machine, and place one breast at a time on a flat surface.A flat compression paddle will gently be lowered to compress your breast. Compression spreads out the breast tissue and eliminates motion.The compression may be uncomfortable,but shouldn't hurt. Compression usually lasts no more than a few seconds. 2 views of each breast are obtained.