What to Expect after a Mammogram?
After your breasts are exposed to the X-rays, the machine will produce some images of your breasts. You may have to wait a few minutes until your healthcare provider examine and make sure the quality of these images is acceptable. In case the views are not sufficient due to technical problems, you would be asked to repeat the procedure. The whole test typically lasts no more than 30 minutes. After that, you would dress and go home. [4]
Possible Risks of a Mammogram
Some possible risks of a mammogram may include:
– Your body may be exposed to radiation. However, the dose is extremely low. In most cases, the benefits outweigh this risk.
– If the results of a mammogram are suspicious, additional tests should be done. These may include a biopsy or an ultrasound.
– Screening mammograms cannot identify all cases of cancer. This is especially true for types of cancer that are typically diagnosed with a physical exam. A mammogram may also miss cancer when the size of a tumor is too small or a mass is located in a difficult-to-see area. [5]
