Why Now?
Here are the facts. The American College of Radiology recommends annual mammograms starting at age 40 for average risk women. Your 40s are an important time for breast health, because the incidence of breast cancer begins to rise.
1 in 8
women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime
85%
of breast cancers occur in women with no family history
99%
5-year survival rate when caught at the earliest stage
Your First Mammo,
Step By Step.
There’s no need for nerves. We’ll walk you through it every step of the way.
1
Schedule Online In Minutes
Find a center location near you, and select a date and time.
Same-week and Saturday appointments are available at many locations.
2
Appointment Day
Wear a two-piece outfit. Skip deodorant, lotion and perfume – it can interfere with your imaging.
Bring your ID and insurance card for check-in.
Before your exam, you’ll undress from the waist up and be given a privacy cape.
3
Your Mammogram
A mammography technologist from our all-women team will guide you through your exam. It will take no more than 10 minutes, with each breast getting compressed twice.
Compression is brief but necessary. Most women find a mammogram uncomfortable, but not painful.
4
Fast Results
A breast-specialized radiologist will read your images. Results are emailed in 2 business days or less.
Yes, your mammogram is covered by insurance.
For women 40+, your annual mammogram is a covered preventive health benefit with a $0 out-of-pocket cost under most plans.
No, you do not need a doctor's order.
Most women can schedule a mammogram without a doctor’s order. And YOU can choose where you get your mammogram.
Common Questions.
Why is your first mammogram so important?
Your first mammogram establishes a baseline understanding of your breast tissue and is used as a comparison for future screenings, allowing a radiologist to monitor any changes year over year. This first mammogram will also determine the density of your breast tissue because research has shown that women with dense breasts have a higher lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
Do I need to get a mammogram annually?
Yes. We know some breast cancers can develop within a year, and those that do tend to metastasize early. That’s why getting into the habit of having an annual mammogram at the same time every year is the best practice for long-term health and peace of mind. When caught early, breast cancer has a 99 percent survival rate. Annual mammograms lead to early detection, and early detection means more treatment options and better outcomes.
Breast cancer doesn’t run in my family. Do I still need a mammogram?
Yes. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease. Family history can increase your risk and put you into a high-risk category, but its absence doesn’t protect you. This is why annual mammograms are recommended for women of average risk starting at age 40.
How do I know my breast cancer risk?
Partner with your doctor to have a breast cancer risk assessment performed –and understand your family history. Find out which family members, on both sides, have had breast, ovarian or prostate cancer, and at what age they were diagnosed. This information can influence screening schedules, genetic testing recommendations and preventive care decisions. Women with a higher risk for breast cancer may begin screening at an earlier age as advised by your doctor.
What if I have breast implants?
Our technologists are specially trained to safely image breasts with implants for an accurate screening exam. Let your technologist know about your implants so they can tailor your exam – sharing implant type or placement can support clearer imaging.
Is it painful?
Many women have found traditional mammograms to be painful. At Solis Mammography, our skilled technologists are trained in positioning you correctly to reduce pain and discomfort. Additionally, many of our centers use SmartCurve, a curved compression surface shaped like a woman’s breast. Designed to reduce compression on the chest wall, as well as pinching and tugging, SmartCurve distributes pressure more evenly for a more comfortable mammogram. Research has shown that 93 percent of women who previously experienced pain during mammograms found SmartCurve to be more comfortable.
Do I need to do any prep before my mammogram?
If you are a new patient, you will need to send any previous mammography records to Solis Mammography prior to your appointment. Your previous images will be compared to your new exam images by our breast-specialized radiologists.
Additionally, follow the directions below to make your appointment go as smoothly as possible:
- Don’t apply deodorant the day of your exam. It can interfere with your images and cause an unnecessary return visit.
- Wear a two-piece outfit. You will undress only from the waist up. We provide comfortable privacy capes to wear during your visit.
- Avoid using any lotion, powder, cream or perfume the day before or the day of your appointment.
How long does it take?
Most appointments only take 30 minutes. The mammogram procedure generally takes less than 10 minutes, with each breast getting compressed twice. Many women schedule their mammograms during their lunch break or in between other activities. Solis Mammography makes mammograms quick and easy with online scheduling, convenient locations, efficient appointments and fast results.
What is a callback?
A small percentage of patients are called back for an additional screening after their annual mammogram. If one of our breast-specialized radiologists cannot see something clearly or sees something that they feel needs a second look, they will ask the patient to return for another exam, also known as a callback. Women are more likely to receive a callback after their first mammogram, since there is not a prior mammogram to compare it to.
A callback is not a false-positive diagnosis of breast cancer nor is it an indication of any other breast condition. In fact, most women receive a clean bill of health after a callback.
Common reasons for a callback after a mammogram include:
- Images that need to be retaken for clarity to deliver an accurate reading
- Dense breast tissue
- Overlapping tissue
- Calcifications or a mass in the breast, such as a cyst or tumor
- An area of the breast that the radiologist would like to further investigate
- Changes from a prior screening
Hear From Other 40-Somethings.
Why Solis Mammography.
Comfort We’re known for compassionate care. From start to finish, we focus on you.
Accuracy 3D mammography with AI for earliest-stage detection. Every mammogram. Every time.
Expertise It matters who you choose for your first mammo. We do breast health best.
Ready
To Schedule?
Celebrate yourself.
Schedule your first mammo online in minutes.