Why and When You Should Get a Mammogram—and What You Can Expect

Roughly 375,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the U.S. last year, according to the American Cancer Society. With the incidence continuing to rise—particularly among younger women—physicians were stunned when a national study published recently in the Annals of Internal Medicine revealed a surprising statistic: more than one-third of women eligible to begin breast cancer screening mammograms at age 40 prefer to wait until age 50.

The newest guidelines by the American College of Radiology and the American Society of Breast Surgeons recommend that women at average risk for breast cancer start screening at age 40 and continue annually.

Resource editors spoke with diagnostic radiologist Felipe Boschini Franco, M.D., on the importance of screening mammograms and the different types of mammograms offered at Baptist Health.

RESOURCE: What is the purpose of a screening mammogram and what does it typically involve?

Dr. Franco: A screening mammogram is really your best tool for finding breast cancer early—before you can feel anything, before there are any symptoms. And that early detection is what saves lives. The exam itself is straightforward. You’ll come in, undress from the waist up and a technologist will gently position each breast on the machine. The breast is briefly compressed—just for a few seconds—to get a clear, detailed image. Compression is needed to have best imaging resolution and be able to detect millimetric abnormalities. We take two views of each breast. The whole thing usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Most women find it far less uncomfortable than they anticipated. It’s quick, it’s safe and it could genuinely be one of the most important appointments you keep all year.

RESOURCE: How do diagnostic mammograms differ from a screening mammograms?

Dr. Franco: While a screening mammogram is for women with no symptoms—it’s your routine annual check—a diagnostic mammogram is a more focused exam. It’s done when something needs a closer look. Maybe a screening mammogram picked up an area of concern. Maybe you’ve noticed a lump, some skin changes or nipple discharge. In those cases, we go deeper. We take additional images, sometimes from different angles and compression, and we may zoom in on a specific area. A radiologist is available in person or remotely during the exam itself, so we make real-time decisions about what we’re seeing.

RESOURCE: What are the benefits of combining ultrasound with a mammogram and who should consider it?

Dr. Franco: Ultrasound is a wonderful complement to mammography for the right patient and right clinical scenarios. It uses sound waves—not radiation—and it’s particularly good at helping us tell the difference between a solid mass and a fluid-filled cyst, for example. Women who have a lump that can be felt, or an area that looks uncertain on a mammogram, often benefit from ultrasound. It’s also very useful for women with dense breast tissue, because dense tissue can sometimes hide things on a mammogram. Think of it this way: the mammogram gives us the big picture and the ultrasound lets us zoom in and get more detail in a specific area or finding. Together, they make a much stronger team.

RESOURCE: Do women with dense breasts require additional screening beyond a mammogram?

Dr. Franco: Dense breasts are actually very common—about half of women have them. Dense tissue just means there’s more fibrous and glandular tissue in the breast and proportionally less fatty tissue. The important thing to know is that dense tissue appears white on a mammogram—and so does cancer—which makes it harder to see everything clearly. That’s why women with dense breasts often benefit from supplemental screening, like ultrasound or even breast MRI, depending on their overall risk level. At Baptist Health, we look at each woman individually. We review your mammogram, we consider your history and we make a personalized recommendation. You’re not just a category, you’re a person and we treat you that way.

RESOURCE: For a woman having her first mammogram, what can she expect from start to finish?

Dr. Franco: Booking your mammogram is simple. You can call or schedule online at Baptist Health, and most screenings don’t require a doctor’s referral. Before your appointment, avoid deodorant or lotion on the day of the exam, as these can affect the images. When you arrive, you’ll check in, complete a brief health history form and then a female technologist will guide you through the entire exam. She’ll position each breast gently on the imaging plate, take a couple of pictures and you’re done—usually in under 20 minutes. Your images are reviewed by a radiologist and you’ll receive your results typically within a few days. Most results are completely normal. But if we do need to follow up, we’ll reach out and walk you through every next step when you return to see us.

RESOURCE: Are you using artificial intelligence (AI) to help assess mammogram findings, and how has it helped?

Dr. Franco: We are, and it’s genuinely exciting. AI in mammography acts like a second set of expert eyes. AI independently analyzes the same images the doctor is analyzing, flagging areas that might warrant a closer look, things that are sometimes very subtle. AI doesn’t replace the radiologist at all—it works alongside us. What it does is add an extra layer of precision and consistency. Studies have shown that AI-assisted reading can help detect cancers earlier and reduce the chances of missing something. At Baptist Health, we’re committed to using the most advanced tools available, because our patients deserve every advantage. This technology is one of the ways we do that.

Q: Where can women go to get a mammogram at Baptist Health?

Dr. Franco: Getting your mammogram done should feel simple and supported—and at Baptist Health, that’s exactly what we aim for. We have multiple convenient locations across South Florida, so access really shouldn’t be a barrier. You can schedule your mammogram at any of our outpatient imaging centers. Our team makes the scheduling process as easy as possible. And because we know life is busy, many of our locations offer early morning, evening and weekend appointments.

RESOURCE: What message do you want to leave women with during Mammogram Awareness Month?

Dr. Franco: I want every woman to know that getting a mammogram is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself. I understand there can be anxiety around it due to the fear of what we might find. But here’s what I’ve seen in my career: women who come in regularly, who don’t wait, who make that appointment, those are the women we find cancer in early when it’s most treatable and when outcomes are best. Don’t let fear be the reason you avoid your mammogram—let it be the reason you show up. You deserve to take care of yourself. And we’re here to take care of you every step of the way.

Visit BaptistHealth.net/Mammo to learn more or call 786-573-6000 to schedule your appointment today. You can also schedule your mammogram on the PineApp.