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FAQs Mammogram What happens when you have a mammogram?
FAQs Mammogram What happens when you have a mammogram? | What happens when you have a mammogram? |
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Do not wear deodorant or powder that day, since these may be seen on the x-ray and can lead to a misdiagnosis. All jewelry and clothing in the chest and breast area are removed prior to the mammogram. A radiographer helps you to position one breast at a time on a small flat surface with an X-ray plate under it. There is another flat plate above your breast. When the machine is switched on, your breast is pressed down between the plates by the machine for a few moments. This gentle, but very firm pressure is applied to the breast using a mammogram compression device. The compression of the breast helps to give a clear picture for the doctor to examine. This compression which is very important in obtaining quality mammograms can cause a degree of discomfort in some women, but it is usually a painless procedure. The compression spreads the breast tissue out so that the x-rays display the inner breast tissue with good resolution. Two pictures are taken: one from above and one from the side. This is to make doubly sure that nothing is missed. |
