A mammogram takes about 20 minutes. The worry leading up to it can take a week. Mammogram preparation for seniors starts with a little planning. It can help an older loved one feel more comfortable and have a more useful conversation with her provider.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings plenty of pink ribbons each October. Senior Helpers North Raleigh can help turn that awareness into practical support for a loved one through transportation, companionship, and help with everyday needs.

Mammogram Preparation for Seniors

Call the imaging center a few days before the appointment. Confirm the time, address, and which entrance to use. Ask whether she needs a doctor's order and what insurance information to bring.

Many centers ask patients to skip deodorant, powder, and lotion on the day of a mammogram, since these can show up on the images. A two-piece outfit makes changing easier. 

If she had breast screening at another facility, ask how to have her previous images sent to the new center for comparison. The National Cancer Institute explains what a mammogram is and what patients can expect during screening.

Questions She Can Bring

Write a few topics on an index card she can keep in her purse. She can also save them in her phone for easy access while waiting for the technologist. She doesn't need to cover everyone.

Questions about screening may include:

• How often should I have a mammogram, given my age and health?
• Would standard mammography or 3D mammography be appropriate for me?
• If I have dense breast tissue, how does that affect my screening?
• Does my family history affect my breast cancer risk?

She can ask when and how she will receive her results. She can also ask what a callback for more images means and whom to contact with questions afterward.

Screening recommendations vary by age and individual circumstances. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms every two years for women 40 to 74. For women over 74, screening recommendations vary. She should discuss her options with her doctor based on her overall health.

Helping Without Taking Over

Some women want company in the waiting room, while others want a ride and nothing more, so ask her which she prefers. It is one way to make mammogram preparation for seniors more personal and comfortable.

If she feels anxious, help keep the rest of the day manageable. Arrange transportation, allow enough time to arrive, and avoid scheduling too many activities around the appointment. A quiet meal or conversation afterward may give her time to relax.

Afterward, let her share as much or as little as she wants. A callback for more images is fairly common and doesn't automatically mean something is wrong. 

The American Cancer Society also encourages women to know how their breasts normally look and feel and to report any changes to a provider promptly.

A Ride and a Friendly Face in North Raleigh and Nearby Towns

Mammogram preparation for seniors includes arranging transportation to the screening, especially when family members work during the day.

Senior Helpers North Raleigh provides caregivers who can drive to appointments, keep her company in the waiting room, and help with errands and meals afterward. We serve families in North Raleigh, Wake Forest, Rolesville, and Knightdale. Contact us to arrange help for her next appointment.