Patient Preparation on the Mammogram Front

It’s vital that a patient understand what the preparation that’s required in terms of a mammogram. Often times not being educated on the procedure can be a source of difficulty for the patient. While education falls on the shoulders of the physician ordering the procedure, it’s good for the patient to engage in research as well and understand a few key elements. The preparation for a mammogram is simple and follows these easy steps:

• The patient needs to choose a facility that’s properly certified.
• Schedule the test for when the breasts are least likely to be tender (post menstruation)
• Provide the physician with prior images if you have any, they may serve as a comparison and help establish any discrepancies.
• Don’t use deodorant prior to the test or anything containing metallic particles.
• Consider using over the counter pain medication if you feel that your procedure is likely to be painful.

A certification is vital because it ensures that the facility you are going to is held to and meets specific standards. It’s not enough that a facility merely has the equipment, it’s key that the facility be considered capable. The tenderness of a woman’s breast is a key consideration.

A mammogram may be uncomfortable; a breast that’s tender will likely lead to a more uncomfortable procedure and the tenderness of the tissue may give a different reading, not necessarily of cancer, but certainly something different. Pre menopausal women can do this a week after their period, the week before and the week of the period will be a time when tenderness is at its height. The provision of images prior to the procedure is very important.