Mammography

Screening mammograms are an essential tool for the early detection of breast cancer, a disease which strikes one in nine women. Women’s Care follows guidelines issued by the American Cancer Society for screening mammograms, which calls for women over the age of 40 to have a screening mammogram every year. We offer mammograms at our Glens Falls site.

Preparing for your mammogram

• Please do not wear deodorant or powder the day of your exam. There are no other specific preparations for the mammogram. We recommend that you schedule the mammogram at the same time as your annual gyn exam.
• The mammogram takes place in a private screening room, with only you and the technologist.
• The procedure requires that you undress above the waist. We will provide a paper gown to wear during the procedure.
• Our female technologist will be present to position your breasts for the mammogram. Your breasts will be compressed to secure an accurate image. You may feel some discomfort, but the actual breast compression only lasts a few seconds. If the mammogram is painful, please tell the technologist.
• If your results are normal, we will notify you by mail within two weeks of the test. At times, the results are abnormal, and will require additional testing. We will contact you by phone to arrange for follow-up testing. This is not an uncommon occurrence, so you should not be unduly alarmed. However, you should have the follow-up testing done in a timely manner. National statistics indicate that about 10% of women require additional mammograms, and only 8% to 10% of these women go on to have biopsies. 80% of the biopsies will not be cancer.

All of our mammograms performed in our Glens Falls office are read by physicians from Adirondack Radiology Associates. Our mammogram service is certified by the American College of Radiology.

For more information on mammography, risk factors and detection, please click on the link below:

Screening Mammography: http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq178.pdf