Mammography
Get faster, more-accurate results when you get your mammogram at UNC Health Johnston. Your exam will use 3D technology to create the clearest possible images, making it less likely you’ll need follow-up testing. You will not find 3D mammography at many Johnston County locations other than UNC Health Johnston.
Accredited, High-Quality Care
Feel confident knowing UNC Health Johnston has the advanced equipment and qualified staff to make your mammogram safe and effective. UNC Health Johnston Ambulatory Imaging and UNC Health Johnston Clayton Ambulatory Imaging hold accreditation in mammography by The American College of Radiology.
Why Get a Mammogram?
Mammograms look for signs of breast cancer. They help doctors detect and diagnose the disease early, when treatment works best.
Talk to your doctor about when to start receiving mammograms. Your personal and family medical history may mean you should get screenings earlier or more often than the general population.
What to Expect
Wear a two-piece outfit to your appointment. You’ll remove your top so a technician can place one breast at a time on the mammography equipment. Two plates will gently compress your breast as the machine takes X-ray images from multiple angles.
Expect your test to last 15 minutes if it’s a screening—which checks for cancer when you have no symptoms. Your mammogram may last 30 minutes if it’s a diagnostic test—which looks closely at lumps you’ve felt or unusual spots found during a screening.
How to Prepare
Follow these guidelines to improve your experience and get the most accurate results:
- Do not schedule your mammogram the week before your period, when your breasts are tender
- Send us previous mammogram results before your exam
- Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder, or lotion under your arms or on your breasts the day of the exam
- Tell your technician (professional performing the test) if you might be pregnant
- Tell your technician about any breast pain or problems
Results
A radiologist will review your images and send a report to your primary care provider. You’ll get a call from your doctor’s office to discuss the results and next steps. Expect results as soon as possible because our mammography images are digital.
To check your results in our secure, online patient portal, visit My UNC Chart.
