March 21, 2002
Five things that you can do to enhance your mammogram
Seattle—A mammogram is an X-ray that can detect changes in breast tissue, including breast cancer. To do the X-ray, the mammography technologist must hold the breast between two flat plates, one of which contains an X-ray film. The other plate is pressed firmly against your breast to help flatten it out and improve the picture. Sometimes this compression is uncomfortable, but it only lasts a few seconds, and it improves the quality of the image while reducing the amount of X-ray required to take the picture.
Group Health Cooperative Mammography technologists suggest five things you can do to enhance the quality of your mammogram:
1. Cooperate with the mammography technologist. Understand that it's part of the her job to make adjustments in the position of your breasts, arms, shoulders, hips, head, or back. Cooperating with her will help to ensure that she gets a clear image.
2. Relax. Keeping your chest, shoulders, and upper back relaxed can help by allowing the breast tissue to ease away from the chest wall so that the X-ray can see the entire breast. If you feel tense or nervous, tell the technologist. She may suggest that you relax by breathing in deeply and exhaling slowly. Or, she may suggest that you shake your arms to release tension.
3. Stand in a comfortable, neutral position. The technologist will adjust the X-ray machine to a comfortable height. You shouldn't have to stand on your toes, bend your knees, raise your shoulders, or flex your back. Wearing flat, comfortable shoes may help.
4. Don't wear perfume or deodorant. These can interfere with the image.
5. Participate in breast cancer screening as recommended. There's been a substantial decrease in breast cancer deaths in the past several years. Most experts believe this is partly due to increased participation in breast cancer screening. So follow your doctor's recommendations regarding frequency of mammograms. Group Health recommends that all women aged 50 and older participate in regular screening. For women aged 40 to 49, mammograms are recommended depending on the woman's individual risk factors. Every woman can develop her approach by talking directly with her primary-care physician.
Group Health Center for Health Studies
Founded in 1947, Group Health Cooperative is a Seattle-based, consumer-governed, nonprofit health care system that coordinates care and coverage. Group Health Cooperative is ranked "Highest in Member Satisfaction among Commercial Health Plans in the Northwest Region" by J.D. Power and Associates. For 25 years, the Group Health Center for Health Studies has conducted research on preventing, diagnosing, and treating major health problems. Government and private research grants provide its main funding.