Questions Every Woman Needs to Ask Her Doctor When Scheduling A Mammogram

Before scheduling a mammogram, there are a few questions that a woman should ask her doctor. These questions can ensure that a woman is getting the best mammogram experience possible. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation provides a list of important question for women to ask:



1.Is my mammogram scheduled at an FDA Certified Mammography Facility? (Note: This can also be checked at http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mammography/certified.html).

2. Will more than one radiologist interpret the film? (It helps to have two radiologists independently interpret every film.)

3. How many mammograms does the lead radiologist read annually? (The FDA recommends doctors read at least 480 a year. If you have any questions about your mammogram results, you can always request the lead radiologist interpret your film.)

4. Does this facility provide follow-up screenings (i.e., Your doctor might want you to go for an ultrasound, which is used to help radiologists evaluate some lumps that can be felt, but are hard to see on a mammogram).

5. If the results of the mammogram are suspicious, what are my next steps?

It is so important to ask thsese questions and any other questions you may have before the mammogram. After asking, you will know what the process is in getting results and just exactly how the results were processed.



Source: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation www.komen.org