Hoag Breast Care Center

Mammography Overview | Digital Mammography | FAQ about Mammography | Additional Imaging: Ultrasound, MRI, Tomosynthesis

Frequently Asked Questions About Mammography

How do I prepare for my mammogram?

Prior to your exam, please secure any previous films for comparison to the present studies for a proper diagnosis to be performed. On the day of your mammogram, please do not use deodorants, creams or powders in the underarm or breast area. Since you will be asked to undress from the waist up and wear a comfortable robe, you will find that wearing a skirt or pants will be more convenient than a dress.

Who Should Receive a Mammogram?

Not everyone needs a mammogram. The need depends on your age, symptoms and health history. However, considering the high incidence of breast cancer and the demonstrated value of mammography, Hoag Breast Care Center and the American Cancer Society propose this guideline: Routine annual mammograms are recommended for all women beginning at age 40.

Mammograms may also be advised for you at any age if you have or develop any of the following signs or symptoms:

palpable lump in the breast
discharge from the nipple
visible changes in the surface of the breast skin
breasts that may be hard to examine due to their large size or prior surgery
strong family history of breast cancer

If you are at high risk for breast cancer, you should speak to your physician about whether you should begin screening before age 40 and about how often you should be screened. (patients who have already had breast cancer, technically cannot be ‘screened’. They would certainly be included in the high risk group.

Why is mammography important?

Mammography is the single most effective screening tool available to detect breast cancer early. Today's low-dose mammography techniques have greatly improved survival from breast cancer because mammography may detect a tumor long before you or your doctor can feel it.

If breast cancer is found and treated early, while localized to the breast, the national ten-year relative survival rate is greater than 90 percent. In addition, you have more treatment options if the tumor is detected at an early stage. Generally, breast-conserving surgery can be performed.

Do I need other breast exams?

A comprehensive breast health plan includes mammography along with regular clinical breast exams by your physician and monthly breast self-examination. Together, these are three important ways you can take positive steps in maintaining good health and increase your chances for detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages.

Where can I get a mammogram?

Because mammography is considered the single most important tool in the early detection of breast cancer, Hoag has convenient breast screening locations in Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine and Newport Beach. To schedule an appointment, please call 800/309-9729.

What if an abnormality is found on screening mammogram?

First, do not get alarmed. Most abnormalities discovered by mammography are benign, not cancer. But if an abnormality is discovered by mammography, you will need additional breast evaluation, which may included special mammographic views such as magnification, breast ultrasound and possibly even breast MRI.

Where will these additional tests be performed?

All of these additional tests will be done for you at our main breast care facility at Hoag Hospital. The reason for this is simple. We have concentrated all of our breast expertise and sophisticated diagnostic tools at Hoag Hospital. In fact, your initial screening mammograms are digitally transmitted directly to Hoag Hospital and interpreted there by our expert dedicated breast radiologists.

Why doesn’t Hoag provide both screening and diagnostic mammography at all Hoag Imaging Centers in Orange County?

Screening mammography remains the most effective tool in the early detection of breast cancer. Because the majority of women seeking breast imaging services require only a screening mammogram (routine mammogram), Hoag provides multiple screening locations throughout Orange County. This ensures convenient and timely access to routine screening while maintaining the highest quality of service. It is important to note that all of the screening mammograms performed at our outlying Hoag Imaging Centers are read and interpreted solely by the expert breast imaging specialists at Hoag Breast Care Center at Hoag Hospital.

In the case of diagnostic mammography, it’s important that this highly specialized imaging study be performed at Hoag Breast Care Center at Hoag Hospital, Newport Beach. That’s because diagnostic mammography requires direct and concurrent onsite evaluation by breast radiologists who specialize in interpreting mammograms, breast MRIs and ultrasounds. After a diagnostic mammogram is performed, it is immediately read by a Hoag breast radiologist, and if necessary, extra views or additional imaging, such as breast ultrasound may be performed at that time. The radiologist then discusses the findings with the patient in person, and if additional tests are required, these are reviewed and scheduled before the patient leaves the breast center.

Hoag’s commitment to having a breast radiologist present and overseeing every diagnostic mammogram performed, results in more accurate interpretation, leading to the diagnosis of even earlier breast cancer, and less false positive readings (findings that are thought to be suspicious, but turn out to be benign). For example, when a recommendation for breast biopsy is made at Hoag Breast Care Center the lesion proves malignant 48 percent of the time. Nationwide, this Positive Predictive Value (PPV) is only 20 percent.

What does a mammogram feel like?

During mammography, you will feel pressure on the breast as it is squeezed by a compression paddle. Compression is needed in order to produce an optimal mammogram and to reduce the radiation exposure to the breast. For most women, mammography is not painful, although some women may experience minor discomfort. If this is the case, schedule the procedure when your breasts are the least tender.

When will I get the results of my screening mammogram?

A qualified radiologist trained in reviewing mammograms will read your exam. A formal report will be sent to your physician. A letter will be sent to you explaining the results. In approximately 6 to 10 percent of cases, additional imaging may be necessary. Only a small percentage of patients who require additional breast imaging have breast cancer.

What if I have breast implants?

If you have breast implants you should still follow the recommended screening guidelines for mammography. It’s especially important for women with implants to receive their mammogram at an accredited facility experienced in performing mammography on patients with breast implants.

If you have implants, several special mammographic views must be taken to allow visualization of both the breast tissue and the implant. Hoag’s team of highly trained breast care technologists knows how to carefully compress your breasts in order to optimize the image, while minimizing the risk of injuring your breast implant.

What if I have small breasts?

Experienced mammography technologists, such as those at Hoag Breast Care Center, know how to image all breast sizes and shapes, including very small breasts. Even if you have small breasts you will generally have enough breast tissue for a mammogram. Breast size and shape rarely affect the accuracy of mammography.

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