It is the technologist's responsibility to recognize the many fears and misconceptions a patient may have toward mammography. The mammographer should also know how to alleviate these fears, which in turn will make the whole exam easier for both. Before the patient even enters the facility, she may be wondering if the exam will be painful or if the mammographer will be insensitive. She may have heard that the mammogram is 'bad' for women and could cause cancer. Misconceptions are especially exaggerated if the woman has never had a mammogram or has less than a high school education.
Fears can double if the patient is symptomatic or has a strong family history of breast cancer.
The first person the patient comes in contact with is the scheduler. It is detrimental to have a person who is organized, sincere, and very personable. A patient can form a very negative attitude toward the facility and the mammographic examination itself if this first contact is an unpleasant one. The scheduler must understand the importance of communication in order to acquire the needed information and to help set the patient at ease. When scheduling a patient, the receptionist should always ask if the exam is just a check-up or if the patient or patient's physician has found a lump.