Mammogram

Regular mammograms are one of the best ways to detect breast cancer early. And when we catch breast cancer early, it’s the most treatable. Think of your mammogram as taking time for you — because you’re important.

Schedule Your Mammogram

By Phone

Location	Phone Number
Illinois	217-757-6565
Wisconsin	920-433-8329

Use MyHSHS

Log in to MyHSHS.
Select "Visits."
Select "Request an Appointment."
Select "Mammogram."

What is a Mammogram?

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast, used to detect breast disease.

Young female doctor with pink awareness ribbon holding hands of senior woman

When Should I Have a Mammogram?

HSHS joins the American Cancer Society in recommending women aged 40 and older of average risk have a screening mammogram every year.

You may need to begin mammograms earlier than age 40 if you have:

A family history of the disease.
Dense breasts.
Gene mutations in your family, which might increase your risk for the disease.

Types of Mammograms

Screening Mammogram

A screening mammogram is done when you have no symptoms of breast cancer, and it is considered a “routine” screening. You don’t need a doctor’s order to request a screening mammogram.

Diagnostic Mammogram

A diagnostic mammogram is done to check specific breast changes you may have found on a physical exam of your breast or during a screening mammogram. You do need a doctor’s order for a diagnostic mammogram.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, please see your physician immediately:

Lump or swelling.
Skin dimpling.
Pain or tenderness in your breast.
Unusual nipple discharge.
Rash of the breast area that will not go away.

3D Mammography -- Latest in Detection You Deserve

There are two main types of mammograms for breast cancer screening – 2D and 3D mammograms.

You have access to the latest in breast cancer screening and detection with 3D mammography technology near you at our HSHS locations in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Clearest Images
3D mammography allows your radiologist to better see the tiniest details and find cancer in its earliest stages.
More Accurate
The clear 3D details lead to fewer false-positive results, preventing you from having to come back for another test.

Common questions about mammograms

All women should talk with their health care provider about the appropriate timing for screening mammograms.

HSHS joins the American Cancer Society in recommending women aged 40 and older of average risk have a screening mammogram every year.

You may need to begin mammograms earlier than age 40 if you have:

A family history of the disease.
Dense breasts.
Gene mutations in your family, which might increase your risk for the disease.

No, you do not need a physician’s order to request a screening mammogram when you have no breast issues.

Illinois
If you live in Illinois, you do need to have a primary care provider to have a mammogram by Illinois law. If you do have breast issues, that may require a diagnostic mammogram which has to be ordered by your physician.

Wisconsin
If you live in Wisconsin, a doctor’s order is not necessary in most cases. We encourage all women to establish care with a primary care provider, but if you have no history of breast cancer, have no current breast issues or concerns, and are eligible for a routine screening mammogram, you can schedule an appointment without a doctor’s order.

Including checking in at the registration desk, your appointment should take about 30 minutes from start to finish.
The X-ray of the breast is very brief:

You will stand in front of an X-ray machine which has a top plastic plate and a bottom platform.
A technologist specializing in mammography will place your breast on the platform and bring the top plate down to compress the breast between the plate and platform. This compression is needed to get the best possible image of the breast.

Two views of each breast are routine. A small number of women may need further testing because of changes seen on their mammogram. Additional testing may include:

Magnification views
Ultrasound
MRI

A mammogram may be uncomfortable, but you should not feel pain. Any discomfort only lasts a few seconds. You can ask to reduce the pressure from the mammogram at any time. To minimize the discomfort, most of our locations offer curved top plates and a MammoPad® on the bottom platform.

Another way to help with discomfort is to schedule your mammogram for one week after your period ends – especially if you notice your breasts are tender around the time of your period.

Try to avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, soda and chocolate) at least one week before your appointment. If you had your last mammogram at another facility, the radiologist/hospital will need these films for comparison. Please ask the facility to mail copies of your exams to the HSHS location you scheduled for your mammogram. Another option is to request copies of your films from the facility and bring them with you to your exam.

The day of your mammogram:

Take Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve, etc.) about one hour prior to your scheduled appointment time unless restricted by your physician.
Wear a top that is easy to remove. You will have a private room to change out of your top and bra and be given a gown to wear.
Do not use any deodorant, lotion, cream or powder under your arms or breasts – these could interfere with a clear mammogram.

Most screening mammograms are covered by insurance companies or Medicare on an annual basis beginning at age 40.

We suggest you check with your insurance company for your specific coverage before your appointment. It is the patient’s responsibility to understand coverage provided by their individual health plan and whether any co-pay is required.

To obtain that information, call the phone number on your insurance card and ask about the 2D mammogram procedure (Code 77067) and the 3D mammogram procedure (Code 77063). Most insurance plans cover 3D screening mammography, but there may be exceptions to 100% coverage.

To receive an estimate on your out-of-pocket cost, you can use Price Estimation Tool on MyChart.

For uninsured or under-insured patients, HSHS offers financial assistance for those who qualify.

You will receive two bills. One will be from the HSHS facility. The other will be from the radiologists who reads your mammogram.