When should I begin scheduling annual mammograms?

Your annual well-woman exam provides a comprehensive snapshot of your overall health, typically starting with a review of your medical history and a physical examination. It will also include a breast exam and pelvic exam, and additional testing as indicated. You should discuss your complete medical and family history with your doctor to determine when you should begin scheduling yearly mammograms. We recommend that women aged 35 and up start scheduling mammograms as part of their annual exams, or earlier if they present with certain risk factors. Like all other cancers, Early detection ensures the best possible outcomes when it comes to treatment for breast cancer and other breast diseases.

3D screening mammography is very similar to traditional mammography but takes slightly longer because it involves taking multiple images, or X-rays, of breast tissue to recreate a three-dimensional picture of the breast. Clinical studies have shown that combining a 3D mammogram with a standard mammogram yields more accurate diagnoses than a standard mammogram alone. Combining both exams typically obviates the need for follow-up imaging, and it enables our diagnosticians to see beyond areas of density and detect cancers that might otherwise be missed.

In addition to your annual women’s health exam, you should perform a monthly Breast Self-Exam (BSE) approximately 7-10 days after each period, or on any date each month that you can easily remember if you’ve reached menopause and are no longer menstruating. And if you feel any thickening or lumps in your breast tissues or notice any unusual discharge, contact us right away to schedule a follow-up exam!

Contact us online or dial (501) 227-5885 to schedule your mammogram or to learn more about our women's clinic Little Rock.