Preparing for your exam
Depending on the exam you have scheduled, proper preparation could mean the difference between a successful office visit and the need to reschedule.
Screening and Diagnostic Mammography
When you schedule your exam, tell us if you have had previous mammograms, and if so, where. Also, tell us if you are nursing or think you may be pregnant, if you have breast implants or have had any recent breast surgeries or biopsies.
To avoid delay or rescheduling of your exam, arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to register.
Please do not apply deodorant, powder or lotion prior to your exam. Before the exam, your female technologist will ask you to undress from the waist up, change into a gown and remove any powder, deodorant or perfumes from your underarms and breasts because material in these products may show up on the mammogram and interfere with an accurate visualization of your breast tissue.
Tips to reduce discomfort:
- schedule your exam a week after your menstrual cycle,
- stop drinking caffeinated products five days before the exam, and
- take a non-aspirin pain reliever such as Tylenol (Acetaminophen), Motrin/Advil (Ibuprofen) or Aleve (Naproxen) an hour before your exam.
Breast Ultrasound
To avoid delay or rescheduling of your exam, arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to register for your exam. The Breast Ultrasound usually takes 30 minutes from the time the radiologist starts the exam. No other preparation is required.
Stereotactic or Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy
To avoid delay or rescheduling of your stereotactic or ultrasound-guided breast biopsy, arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to register. We ask you to plan for an additional two hours to complete this procedure.
You may take your medicines as prescribed, but make sure to ask your doctor or health care provider about blood-thinning medications that you may be taking including aspirin or aspirin-related products. Also, wear comfortable clothing. Most patients prefer a two-piece outfit.
Breast MRI and Breast MRI Guided Biopsy
Please call the Center if you think you have a condition that might prevent an MRI exam. Such conditions include having a pacemaker, aneurysm clips or stents; inner ear implants; having bone or neuro stimulators; permanent eyeliner or piercings, metal shavings and/or BBs in your eyes. If you have some physical limitations to lying on your stomach please let your technologist know. And if you are (or think you might be) pregnant, tell us.
If your doctor has prescribed oral sedation or pain medication, avoid use of caffeinated products on the day of your exam. Oral sedation requires that you come in 45 minutes to and hour before your exam so that you can complete registration before taking the medication. Taking oral sedation also, requires you make arrangements to have someone drive you home. Your driver will need to sign in prior to your appointment.
Breast MRI requires the use of contrasts because it enhances the anatomy of the breast. Gadolinum is the contrast agent used and is administered through an IV. Fortunately, reactions to the contrast are very rare.
It is important to inform the technologist at the time of your examination or procedure if you have any history of reactions / allergies to a contrast agent such as medications or substances like latex.
Before any MRI, remove all jewelry, hair pins and metal objects (other than gold wedding rings). Remove keys and watches. The strong magnetic fields of the MRI can erase information on credit cards.
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time, unless you are using oral sedation, to register, and plan at least one hour to complete your exam. In the case of MRI Guided Biopsy plan for an additional three hours to complete your exam. Also, in the case of MRI Guided Biopsy, you may take your medicines as prescribed, but make sure to ask your health care provider about blood-thinning medications that you may be taking including aspirin or aspirin-related products.
If you have had past mammography exams or a previous breast MRI, please bring those images/films with you to your exam.
Bone Densitometry (DEXA)
DEXA examinations require no special preparation. You may eat and drink normally and take any medications you regularly take before and after your exam. You should avoid clothing with metal buttons or zippers; instead wear a loose fitting outfit with an elastic waist.
Please advise our staff at the time of scheduling if you have had a recent upper GI or barium enema examination.
