Mammograms

A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast used to detect tumors and cysts and helps differentiate benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) diseases. It's an important screening tool for finding breast cancer early.

During the exam, your breast is placed on a flat surface by the mammographer. A compression paddle is pressed firmly against the breast to flatten out the tissue. Although the pressure of the mammogram only lasts a few seconds, some women find it uncomfortable — but it shouldn't be painful. Please tell your mammographer how you feel. They’ll address your concerns to ensure you have the best mammogram experience possible.

The following will help you prepare for your mammogram:

• If possible, have a physical exam (including a breast examination) from your healthcare provider before your mammogram.
• Schedule your mammogram when your breasts are least tender. If you're menstruating, that’s one week after your period.
• Wear a separate top and bottom, so it’s easier and more comfortable to disrobe from the waist up.
• Don’t wear deodorant, talcum powder, ointment or lotion on your breasts or underarm area.
• Share where and when you’ve had prior mammograms, so we can obtain those reports for comparison before your appointment.
• For the safety and privacy of all patients, please avoid bringing visitors who require supervision, such as children, to your appointment, unless it’s necessary.
• Bring a copy of your photo ID and insurance card to your appointment.

A mammogram screening appointment takes 15 – 30 minutes.

After the radiologist reviews your mammography images, they’ll send your report to your healthcare provider. Your provider will then call you with those results. You can also view your mammogram results in MyUnityPoint, our app for patients. In most cases, they're available in 2 – 5 business days.

Women should begin annual mammograms and medical breast exams at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer, please talk to your primary care provider about when, and how often, you should get a mammogram.

If you’re a transgender individual, it’s important to talk to your primary care provider about breast cancer screenings.

How often you should get a mammogram varies based on individual risk factors and guidelines. Generally, women ages 40-74 should get a mammogram every one to two years. However, if you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, you may need more frequent screenings. Talk to your doctor to determine the best screening schedule for you.

A mammogram can detect breast cancer in the earliest stage when it’s most treatable. Mammograms can find breast cancer tumors up to two years before they’re felt during a physical exam.

It saves lives. Most mammograms results are negative (disease-free). Even if a lump is found, eight out of 10 are not cancer. When cancer is detected, the survival rate is near 100% for individuals with tumors detected and treated early (less than 1 centimeter in size).

Proper compression makes it easier to identify cancers not otherwise detectable. It gives a clear x-ray picture of the entire breast. Compression also reduces the amount of radiation to your breast and body.

Yes. There’s a very tiny amount of radiation exposure from a mammogram.

Neither the compression of the breast required for a mammogram, nor the amount of radiation used in a screening mammogram, causes cancer or makes cancer spread.

Several of the communities we serve have free or low-cost programs that offer mammograms to underinsured or uninsured individuals. Please reach out to the contact below to find out if you’re eligible.

Care for Yourself: Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings

The Care for Yourself program provides free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings to qualified Iowans. Visit the Care for Yourself website to see if you’re eligible.

To enroll, call 1-866-399-7909, visit the Care For Yourself website or talk with a primary care provider at a location/organization listed below. After you enroll and are approved, you’ll be seen at an approved screening location closest to you.

Locations

• Cedar Rapids, IA partnership with Eastern Iowa Health Center. Call (319) 730-7300.
• Des Moines, IA partnership with Iowa Department of Public Health
• Fort Dodge, IA partnership with Webster County Public Health (WCPH)
• Grinnell, IA partnership with Polk County Health Department Healthy Women + Poweshiek County Public Health
• Quad Cities/Muscatine, IA partnership with Trinity Muscatine Public Health. Call (563) 263-0122.
• Sioux City, IA partnership with Iowa Department of Public Health

Pink Days: Free Mammogram Program

Pink Days is a free mammogram program for uninsured and underinsured women in the Des Moines area that includes follow-up diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds, if needed. Women who require additional testing beyond this, or those diagnosed with cancer or a pre-cancerous condition, are enrolled in the Iowa Care for Yourself program for further testing and treatment.

To see if you qualify, complete the Pink Days Request Form and a representative will contact you.

Location: Des Moines, IA

Healthcare providers believe all patients benefit from 3D mammography. However, the best candidates are those with dense breast tissue and/or a strong family history of breast cancer.

Our state-of-the-art technology results in x-ray exposure similar to a standard 2D mammogram. The FDA found the combination of 3D and standard mammography is safe and effective for patient use.

With conventional digital mammography, the radiologist views all the overlapped tissues of the breast in one, flat 2D image. In some instances, this gives the illusion of an abnormality even though the breast is normal. It can also mask an actual tumor due to superimposed breast structures.

By looking at the breast tissue in one-millimeter slices, the radiologist can provide a more accurate assessment. 3D mammography provides a 25% improvement in overall cancer detection rates, finding 40% more invasive cancers than conventional mammography. It also means there's less chance of being called back for a "second look" mammogram because of overlapped normal structures. “False positive" rates are reduced by up to 40%.

Digital breast tomosynthesis is a new technology used to detect breast cancer. It allows doctors to examine breast tissue one layer at a time. During 3D mammography, multiple low-dose images, or "slices," of the breast are taken at different angles. With this new technology, the radiologist can view a mammogram in a way never before possible. Fine details of the breast are more clearly visible and no longer hidden by overlapping tissue.

3D mammography is very similar to a traditional mammogram. Just as with a traditional digital mammogram, the technologist will position you, compress your breast under a paddle and take images from different angles. Positioning is the same as a standard 2D mammogram. The exposure time is longer by just a few seconds, depending on the density of your breasts. Although 3D mammography takes a few seconds longer, there's no additional compression.

While most insurance carriers include mammography, it’s a good idea to ensure your insurance company covers mammograms.