How to Get a Better Mammo

Keep comparison film. Make sure the center you visit has originals of all your previous mammos. A recent study found that being able to view a current mammogram with prior films decreases the number of false positives by 44 percent. If you’ve changed centers, ask your old one to send your films over, or go get them yourself (call a day before pickup; give a month’s notice for mailing).

Time it right. Schedule your screening for the week following the end of your period, when your breasts are the least tender due to hormonal fluctuations.

Do a quality check. To find a certified mammo provider in your area, call the National Cancer Institute at 880-422-6237. Also, radiologists and technologists should be accredited by the American College of Radiology and specially trained in mammography. “Many women spend more time investigating hairdressers than they do finding out who’s reading their mammograms,” breast surgeon Nancy Elliott, MD, says. “But the more training a technician has and the more films she reads on a daily basis, the better she’ll be at picking up an abnormality.” In fact, a center that performs at least 20 mammos a day is considered ideal. Also check on double reads. Having two radiologists read your films gives you a more reliable report.

Consider comfort. For comfort sake, ask the center if they use a MammoPad. It’s like a mouse pad for your breasts—a flat, soft, cushioned pad that sits atop the cold metal plate (so your boobs don’t have to)—and it can make the squishing less uncomfortable, some say.

Ask about results. By law, the center must notify you with the results of a normal reading within 30 days. If there’s no word within 10 days, call and inquire. With a positive screening, a certified center must notify you in writing within three to five business days.

By Maureen Connolly

(PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO)

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