SERVICES
Mammography
John A. Haugen Associates is a FDA Certified Mammography Facility

At John A. Haugen Associates we understand that the experience of getting a mammogram is different for every woman. That’s why we listen to your concerns and questions first, then work to help you understand the process so it can be as comfortable for you as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is an X-ray image of the breasts. It is used to detect tumors and cysts and to help differentiate benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) disease.

When to get a mammogram:
There’s a lot of confusion out there about when and how often to get a mammogram. Recommendations include the following:

  • The American Cancer Society: Annual screening mammogram beginning at age 40
  • The National Cancer Institute: Screening mammogram every 1-2 years beginning at age 40
  • The US Preventive Services Task Force: Screening mammogram every 2 years beginning at age 50.


If there is a family history of breast cancer, female relatives should start annual screenings at an age 10 years before the relative’s cancer diagnosis. Mammograms are not recommended during pregnancy or for the first six months after stopping nursing. If at ANYTIME you discover a lump, call your healthcare provider. See our January 2010 Hot Topic link for a more detailed discussion of breast cancer screening recommendations.

How the test is performed?
You will be asked to undress from the waist up and will be offered a gown to wear. One breast at a time is rested on a flat surface that contains the X-ray film or receptor, and a device called a compression paddle will be pressed firmly against the breast to help spread out the breast tissue so there are less overlapping structures. The X-ray pictures will be taken from several angles.

How to prepare for the test:
Do not wear deodorant, perfume, powders, or lotions under the arms or on the breast the day of the mammogram. These substances may obscure the images or cause a false positive reading because of metallic like specks contained in them.Notify your health care provider (and/or the radiologist) if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

How the test will feel:
When the breast is compressed, there may be some discomfort.

Why the test is performed?
Mammography is performed to screen healthy women for signs of breast cancer. It is also used to evaluate a woman who has symptoms of a breast disease such as a lump, nipple discharge, breast pain, dimpling of the skin on the breast, or retraction of the nipple. Screening mammograms are important for early breast cancer detection.

In addition to mammography, clinical breast exams (where the clinician palpates with the fingers) and breast self-examinations are important for breast cancer screening. Women age 20 or older should receive clinical breast exams every year. The American Cancer Society recommends that all women age 20 and older perform monthly breast self-examination.

These are general recommendations for mammography, clinical breast exams, and breast self-exam. Women should discuss with their personal physician how often to receive breast cancer screening, including mammography and clinical breast exams. Recommendations vary depending on personal risk factors such as a strong family history of breast cancer.

Normal values:
Breast tissue that shows no evidence of a mass (aggregations of cells) or calcification is considered normal or negative.

What abnormal results mean?
A well-outlined, regular, clear spot is more likely to be benign, such as a cyst. (non-cancerous) A poorly outlined, opaque area is more likely to suggest a tumor. However, not all benign lesions are perfectly round, and some cancers may appear well defined. Sometimes the doctor will use ultrasound to further examine the abnormality and evaluate the next best step. When findings suspicious for a cancer are found on a mammogram and/or ultrasound, a biopsy is performed to determine if a lesion is benign or cancerous.

What the risks are?
The level of radiation is low and any risk from mammography is exceedingly low. If you are pregnant and need to have an abnormality checked, a lead apron will be used to shield the abdominal area.

Special considerations:
A mammogram is the most accurate test for breast cancer. Approximately 90% - 95% of breast cancers are detected with mammography. Mammography is important because it can detect cancers before you can feel them with your fingers.

For additional information on mammography, we recommend the following links:
  • MedLine Plus: Mammography - Good health information on over 750 medical topics from the world's largest medical library, the National Library of Medicine. There are directories, a medical encyclopedia and a medical dictionary, easy-to-understand tutorials on common conditions, tests, and treatments, as well as health information in Spanish.
  • RadiologyInfo.org - Information on radiologic procedures as they relate to mammography.
  • Imaginus.com: Mammography - General information on mammorgraphy and breast health.
  • Koman.org - Susan G. Komen for the Cure is fighting every minute of every day to finally, once and for all, achieve a world without breast cancer.