Schedule Your Yearly Mammogram!

A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. It is used to find breast changes. Mammograms are the best tool we have to find breast cancer early.

Mammograms usually take about 20 minutes. The breast is compressed between two plastic plates for a few seconds while the x-ray is taken. Your health care provider may reposition your breast and do the process again to have another view. This procedure is done to both breasts. Mammograms may be a bit uncomfortable, but can save your life. 

It's best to schedule your mammogram about a week after your menstrual period, if you have one. Your breasts won't be as tender or swollen, which means less discomfort.

Wear a 2-piece outfit because you will need to remove your top.

Do NOT apply deodorant, antiperspirant, powder or lotion on or near your chest. These products can appear as white spots on the x-ray and make it hard to read.

Louisiana Healthcare Connections members at least 40 years of age can get one mammogram per year at no cost. Plus, members ages 50-74 earn $50 in healthy rewards for completing their yearly breast cancer screening. 

You usually will get your results within 10 days. If you don't, you should call your health care provider and ask them about it. 

If your health care provider finds something suspicious, they will ask you to come in for some more tests. This doesn't always mean you have cancer. You may have dense breast tissue or a cyst. It may also mean the x-ray wasn't clear and needs to be retaken. It's important to listen to your healthcare provider if they ask for more tests, it could help them find breast cancer early.