1. Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuting for as long as a woman is in good health.
2. Use a facility that specializes in mammograms or that performs many (at least three to five) a day. Ask to see FDA certificate showing that the facility meets high professional standards.
3. If you are satisfied with the facility, continue to go there each year so that your mammograms can be compared from year to year. IF not, take copies of your old mammograms to a new facility so they will have them for comparison.
4. Mammograms cost, or a percentage of them, are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private health plans. Call the American Cancer Society to find out about teh available of low-cost mammograms in your area. 1-800-ACS-2345.
5. All mammogram facilities are required to to send your results with in 30 days and to contact you within five business days if there is a suspected problem. Call your doctor or the facility if you do not receive your results.
6. Only two to four mammograms out of every 1,000 will lead to a cancer diagnosis. Ten percent of the women may require an additional mammogram, but only eight to ten percent of them will need a bioply. Eighty percent of those biopsies will not be cancer.
7. The procedure will require you to undress to the waist, but the facility will provide a wrap for you to wear.
8. Deodorant, powder, or cream under your arms may interfere with quility of the mammogram.
9. Only you and the technologists who positions your breast will be present for the mammograms and most technologist are women.
10. The entire procedure should take about 20 minutes and should include two views of each breast.

The breast compression may cause some discomfort, which you can lessen by not scheduling a mammogram immediately before  or during your period. Tell the technologist if you experience pain during the procedure.