This procedure, which may be temporarily uncomfortable, is necessary in order to produce an accurate mammogram. The compression takes place for only a few seconds of the examination. The entire procedure for screening mammography takes about 20 minutes. Below is some information about different kinds of mammography. Screening Mammography Two views of each breast for women who have no current symptoms or breast cancer or implants.
Most insurance covers one exam per year.
An order from your health care provider is required for a diagnostic exam. These are projections that are requested by the radiologist after the initial exam has been read. These may consist of special compression views, magnification views, or specific views indicated by the radiologist. This biopsy, of a lesion seen on a mammogram, requires lying on table with the breast compressed. Images are taken on a computer and the area is biopsied using a biopsy needle.