How to Prepare for Your Mammogram
Schedule a Mammogram
You can call our Central Scheduling Office to schedule a mammogram in Boston, Waltham, Revere or Danvers without a doctor's order.
You can use this information to help prepare for your mammogram.
Helpful Tips
- History Discussion - Before coming in for your exam, please discuss any new findings, prior surgeries, hormone use and family or personal history of breast cancer with your doctor.
- Health Changes - If you are having a problem with either of your breasts, please notify your doctor as soon as possible. If you think you could be pregnant, please call your primary care doctor prior to your appointment.
- Bathroom Products - On the day of your appointment, please do not wear any deodorant or antiperspirant, lotions or powders because they interfere with image clarity.
- Clothing - We recommend wearing a two-piece outfit such as a shirt and pants because you will be undressing from the waist up.
- Registration - If you have not updated your registration information in the past six months, please call our registration office at 866-211-6588 to update your information.
- Previous Images - If possible, please bring original images of any prior mammograms to your appointment. Our staff at the Mass General Image Service Center is available at 617-726-1798 to answer any questions about this process. Comparison with prior studies is an important part of your examination, so there may be a delay in interpreting your study if these images are not available by the time of your scan.
- Valuables - You can keep your things with you during a CT exam, but we suggest you leave your valuables at home so you don’t have to worry about them.
- Children - If you need to bring kids to your appointment, please bring someone to watch them in the waiting room.
Checking In
It’s important to arrive with enough time before your appointment so that we can get everything ready. Your doctor's office can tell you what time to arrive.
When you check in, we will confirm your name, date of birth, insurance and other details. We may ask you to show a photo ID. We may ask your full name and date of birth again later on during the appointment for your safety. You may also need to fill out some paperwork.
Mass General Imaging: Mammography Exam FAQ
Breast Tomosynthesis
Pioneered at Mass General, breast tomosynthesis combined with conventional digital mammography is the standard of care for screening mammography at all locations where we provide breast imaging services.