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If you\u2019re about to get your first mammogram, it\u2019s normal to feel a little nervous. A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breast used to screen for breast cancer, and it\u2019s among the most routine appointments in women\u2019s health. Yet it\u2019s also one of the most dreaded, mostly because of the unknowns: What do you wear? Will it hurt? How much will it cost? <\/em>To help you feel as prepared as possible, we spoke with two board-certified OBGYNs and a breast surgical oncologist about everything you need to know before your first mammogram.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have a family history of breast cancer, routine screening starts at 40, says Dr. Choe. If it runs in your family, you may need to start earlier. Starting at 40 also lines up with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which updated its guidelines in 2024 to recommend a mammogram every other year for women ages 40 to 74. Some groups, including the American College of Radiology, recommend going every year, so ask your doctor which schedule is right for you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Family history isn\u2019t the only reason to start earlier. If you have a known genetic mutation, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, or had radiation to the chest at a young age, you may need to start screening earlier or go more often, and your doctor may add other imaging, like a breast MRI. Talk to your doctor about your risk well before 40.<\/p>\n As for cost, a routine mammogram counts as preventive care, so it\u2019s usually covered 100 percent by insurance. Without coverage, Dr. Choe says you can expect to pay between $125 and $400 out of pocket.<\/p>\n Where it might get a little confusing: When you book, you may be asked whether you want a 2D or 3D mammogram. A 2D mammogram captures a flat image of the breast from two angles, \u201cso all the layers of tissue are stacked on top of each other,\u201d says Dr. De La Cruz.<\/p>\n A 3D mammogram, also called tomosynthesis, takes many low-dose images as the machine sweeps in an arc, then rebuilds the breast into thin slices. Dr. De La Cruz compares it to \u201cflipping through the pages of a book.\u201d Because the radiologist can see through overlapping tissue, the images are easier to read. \u201c3D can find some cancers that 2D misses and leads to fewer false alarms and callbacks,\u201d says Dr. Toubi.<\/p>\n Both types are considered effective screening tools. If you have a preference, ask your doctor or the imaging center what they offer and what your insurance covers.<\/p>\n A few simple steps can make the appointment more comfortable and help the technologist get a clear image:<\/p>\n The whole visit takes about 15 to 20 minutes, says Dr. De La Cruz. Here\u2019s how it goes:<\/p>\n So, does it hurt? It\u2019s uncomfortable but brief, and like anything from a bikini wax to a tattoo, everyone\u2019s experience is different. Dr. Choe compares it to someone pressing firmly on a bruise, while Dr. De La Cruz says her patients describe \u201ca very firm hug, or a tight blood-pressure cuff, but on your breast.\u201d <\/p>\n If it hurts, speak up, says Dr. Toubi: The technologist can adjust. The purpose of the compression is that it spreads the tissue so the radiologist can see clearly and allows for a lower X-ray dose. \u201cA few seconds of pressure for peace of mind is a trade I\u2019ll make every time,\u201d says Dr. De La Cruz.<\/p>\n After, a radiologist reads your images, and you\u2019ll typically hear back within a few days, says Dr. De La Cruz, though it can take up to two weeks. Dr. Toubi says results come by letter or through your patient portal. If you haven\u2019t heard anything after two weeks, call your provider.<\/p>\n Callbacks are common, and they\u2019re usually not cancer, says Dr. De La Cruz. They\u2019re especially common after a first mammogram, because the radiologist has no earlier images to compare. Usually, the radiologist just wants a closer look at overlapping tissue or at what\u2019s likely a cyst or benign lump. The next step is typically extra mammogram views or an ultrasound. \u201cDo not ignore [a callback], and do not panic,\u201d says Dr. Toubi. Go to the follow-up appointment, bring your prior images if they were done elsewhere, and ask what they\u2019re looking at. As Dr. De La Cruz puts it, \u201ca callback is the system working the way it should.\u201d<\/p>\n Your results will also tell you whether you have dense breasts. Since September 2024, every mammography facility in the U.S. is required to share this in plain language. Dense breasts have more glandular and fibrous tissue than fat, and they\u2019re normal: about half of women have them, and you can\u2019t tell by feel. Density matters for two reasons, says Dr. De La Cruz. It slightly raises breast cancer risk, and it makes mammograms harder to read. That\u2019s because \u201cdense tissue and tumors both look white,\u201d she says. \u201cCancers can hide.\u201d<\/p>\n If you have dense breasts, talk to your doctor about your overall risk, including family history and genetics. \u201cExperts do not all agree on what extra imaging, if any, women with dense breasts need,\u201d says Dr. Toubi. Depending on your density and risk, options include a 3D mammogram, a breast ultrasound or a breast MRI. Either way, don\u2019t skip your mammogram. \u201cMammography is proven to lower breast cancer deaths,\u201d says Dr. Toubi.<\/p>\n Book your first mammogram at 40 (earlier if you\u2019re at higher risk), wear a two-piece outfit and skip the deodorant. The few uncomfortable seconds are worth it, and with insurance, a routine screening is usually free. It\u2019s worth asking your insurer about coverage for follow-up imaging and 3D, too.<\/p>\n And if you get a callback or learn you have dense breasts, don\u2019t panic. \u201cA callback isn\u2019t a diagnosis,\u201d says Dr. De La Cruz. \u201cDense isn\u2019t a disease. And a few seconds of squeeze can save your life.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you\u2019re about to get your first mammogram, it\u2019s norma […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3546,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nichebeaty.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3545"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nichebeaty.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nichebeaty.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nichebeaty.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nichebeaty.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3545"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nichebeaty.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3545\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nichebeaty.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nichebeaty.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nichebeaty.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nichebeaty.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Featured Experts<\/h2>\n
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Before Your First Mammogram: When to Go, What It Costs and How to Prep <\/h2>\n
When to go<\/h4>\n
Cost<\/h4>\n
2D vs. 3D mammograms<\/h4>\n
Prep<\/h4>\n
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During Your Mammogram: What Happens and Does It Hurt? <\/h2>\n
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After Your Mammogram: Results, Callbacks and Dense Breasts <\/h2>\n
The TL;DR: First Mammogram 101<\/h2>\n