{"id":1249,"date":"2019-08-10T01:37:28","date_gmt":"2019-08-09T17:37:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salemradiology.com\/?p=1249"},"modified":"2019-08-10T01:37:28","modified_gmt":"2019-08-09T17:37:28","slug":"what-to-expect-at-your-first-mammogram","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salemradiology.com\/?p=1249","title":{"rendered":"What to Expect at Your First Mammogram"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Have you been putting off getting your first mammogram? For most of us, the thought of a mammogram is a little intimidating. You\u2019ve probably heard\u00a0a variety of jokes or stories related to the breast compression that occurs with a mammogram. The truth? Mammograms save lives, and that\u2019s why they\u2019re recommended annually for women age 40 and over. It\u2019s important to try not to be\u00a0anxious, and\u00a0knowing what to expect from your first mammogram appointment may help to settle your nerves, reduce your stress, and give you more confidence.<\/p>\n

First, let\u2019s talk about the technical aspects of a mammogram. Mammograms use low-dose x-rays to examine breast tissue and help doctors detect abnormalities. Research has shown that mammograms find lumps\u00a0that may be\u00a0too small to be felt, which means cancer is caught in the very early stages when it\u2019s most treatable. This is important because when cancer is treated early, patients tend to have much better outcomes. \u00a0<\/p>\n

During the mammogram, there\u2019s a pretty standard procedure that you can expect to experience.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n