Don’t delay your mammogram: What to expect and how to schedule

You know a mammogram is important. It may even be one of those tasks on your to-do list for months: schedule the appointment, check the insurance card, find a convenient location, make time between work, family  and everything else.

And then another week passes.

If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. Many women delay routine breast cancer screening because they feel anxious, busy, unsure about the cost or simply unclear about what happens next. A mammogram can feel like a big appointment, but it is a doable step that can bring clarity, confidence and peace of mind.

At CommonSpirit Health, we believe caring for your whole self should feel kinder and clearer. 

 Four Common Reasons Women Delay — and How to Move Past Them

1. Concern about pain - It is normal to feel nervous. The compression lasts only a few seconds for each image. If you still have menstrual periods, try scheduling your mammogram for the week after your period, when breasts may be less tender. You can also ask the technologist to walk you through each step.

2. Uncertainty about cost - Many health plans cover screening mammograms as preventive care, often with no copay or coinsurance when you use an in-network clinician. Coverage can vary, especially for diagnostic imaging or 3D mammography, so check with your insurance plan or the mammography location before your appointment. If you are uninsured or underinsured, ask about financial assistance or free and low-cost screening programs in your state.

3. Unsure about referral requirements - Your primary care clinician is a good place to start. They can talk with you about what type of mammogram may be right for you and help you understand whether an order is needed. If you have symptoms, need a diagnostic mammogram or are following up after an abnormal result, your primary care clinician can help guide your next step and write an order if needed.

4. Worry about potential callbacks -  A call back does not automatically mean cancer. Sometimes the radiologist needs more images, wants to compare past mammograms or recommends an ultrasound to better understand an area. The most important thing is to complete the recommended follow-up so you get clear answers.

Why Putting Off Your Mammogram Matters

A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray that helps look for early signs of breast cancer. Regular screening can find changes before you notice a lump or other symptom, which is why staying on schedule matters.

We understand that life gets busy, fear can get in the way and cost questions may keep you from scheduling a mammogram. But delaying does not make those questions go away. Instead, scheduling your mammogram gives you information. And information gives you options.

Think of it less as “checking a box” and more as making one kind decision for your future self. One appointment can help you move from “I’ll do it soon” to “I did it.”

When Should You Schedule a Mammogram?

For many women, age 40 is an important time to begin regular breast cancer screening. How often you should have a mammogram can depend on several factors, including: 

• Age

• Personal health history

• Family history

• Breast density

• Prior biopsy results

• Genetic risk factors

• Clinician recommendations. 

Some women may need to start screening earlier than 40 or may need additional imaging, such as breast MRI or ultrasound, depending on their risk. Others may follow a routine screening schedule with mammography. Your primary care clinician, OB/GYN or breast health specialist can help you understand the timing that is right for you.

You should also contact a clinician if you notice the following symptoms: 

• A new lump

• Nipple discharge

• Nipple changes

• Persistent breast pain

• Skin dimpling

• Redness

• Warmth or any unusual changes

You do not need to wait for your next routine screening to ask about a change.

Breast Exam vs. Mammogram: What Is the Difference?

A clinical breast exam and a mammogram are related, but they are not the same thing.

During a clinical breast exam, a clinician checks your breasts, underarms and nearby areas for lumps or visible changes. Your clinician may also ask about symptoms, family history and other risk factors. A clinical breast exam can be part of a larger well-woman visit or may be recommended if you have a specific concern.

A mammogram is an imaging test. It creates pictures of the breast tissue so a radiologist can look for changes that may be too small to feel. A normal clinical breast exam does not always mean breast cancer is not present, which is one reason mammography is so important for screening.

Every breast is different. So are you. The right plan may include a conversation with your clinician, a clinical exam, a screening mammogram or follow-up imaging, depending on your needs.

What Does a Mammogram Feel Like?

Most screening mammogram appointments are brief. At many centers, the imaging portion takes only a short time, and the full appointment may take about 25 minutes. A diagnostic mammogram, which is used when there is a symptom or when more detailed images are needed, may take longer.

During the exam, a technologist will position one breast at a time on the mammography machine. Another plate gently presses the breast tissue for a few seconds while the image is taken. The pressure can be uncomfortable, and some women find it painful, but it should be brief. Tell your technologist if you are nervous, if this is your first mammogram, if you have breast pain, if you have implants or if you need help with positioning. You can ask questions at any point.

After the images are taken, a radiologist reviews them and sends results to you and your clinician. The technologist cannot interpret the results during the appointment, but the care team will let you know what to expect and how results are shared.

How to Prepare for Your Mammogram

A little planning can make the appointment easier:

• Wear a two-piece outfit so you only need to undress from the waist up.

• Skip deodorant, lotion, powder, perfume or creams on your breasts or underarms the day of your exam, because these products can affect the images.

• Bring or request prior mammogram images if they were done at another facility. Comparing images over time helps the radiologist look for changes.

• Tell the care team if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have breast implants, have had breast surgery or are experiencing symptoms.

• Put the appointment on your calendar before you leave the scheduling screen or phone call. The easiest way to stop delaying is to choose the date.

Ready When You Are

Your mammogram does not have to be a perfect moment. It just has to be the next step.

CommonSpirit Health is here to help make breast care clearer, kinder and more convenient. If you are 40 or older, overdue for screening or unsure when you should begin, schedule a mammogram or talk with a clinician about the right breast cancer screening plan for you.

Do not delay the care that can bring you answers. Schedule your mammogram or care appointment today. Find a CommonSpirit Health location near you.