Women’s Health Services
Screening Mammograms in Richmond, VA
To schedule your annual mammogram screening in Richmond, VA, call VPFW at 804-897-2100 or message us to schedule online.
At VPFW, we make it easier to prioritize your breast health with compassionate, convenient mammogram screening in Richmond, VA. Our four locations offer advanced 3D mammography services, ensuring you receive the highest-quality imaging with minimal discomfort and wait time. Our team of experienced technologists is here to support you through a quick, comfortable screening process.
Mammography in Richmond, VA: Trusted Mammography Services at Four Locations
We know how important preventive care is when it comes to breast health. But in your busy life, keeping up with your annual screening mammograms can be difficult (and scary) – even when you know they could save your life. That’s why we have four mammogram centers in Richmond, VA, each offering 3D mammogram technology:
What Is a Screening Mammogram?
A screening mammogram is a preventive, low-dose X-ray that takes detailed images of your breast tissue to help detect early signs of breast cancer. During the exam, each breast is gently compressed between two plates to capture clear images from different angles.
At VPFW, we use full-field, digital 3D mammography technology for sharper, more precise images. We feel this gives our physicians and radiologists the best possible view of your breast tissue. A screening mammogram is quick and is one of the most effective tools for protecting your long-term breast health.
A screening mammogram differs from a diagnostic mammogram, which is used when there’s a specific concern, such as a lump, new breast pain, nipple discharge, or an area that needs further evaluation after a screening mammogram. If you should need a diagnostic mammogram after your screening, we will help refer you.
Typically, we recommend women begin scheduling a yearly screening mammogram beginning at age 40.
Why Choose VPFW for Your Mammogram Procedure
VPFW is accredited by The American College of Radiology, and our highly trained technologists make you feel comfortable from the moment you arrive throughout your screening. The entire process only takes about 15 minutes. Under the supervision of VPFW physicians, we partner with experts at Radiology Associates of Richmond to read our mammography scans, and patients should receive their results in two weeks or less.
No matter which of our four locations you’re scheduled to have mammography in Richmond, VA, or in the surrounding areas, please note that each has an FDA-Certified Mammography Facility. We use full-field, digital, low-dose mammography equipment to assist in the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.
Update on Richmond Mammogram Scheduling at VPFW
*Update on mammogram scheduling with respect to COVID-19 vaccination*
As of Sept. 28, 2021, it is recommended that patients no longer need to wait to have a screening mammogram after receiving a COVID vaccine. This applies to any vaccine dose including boosters.
Call us at 804-897-2100 if you have questions about scheduling your annual screening mammogram.
How to Prepare for Your Mammogram
At VPFW, our goal is to make your screening mammogram visit as smooth and stress-free as possible. Here’s what you should know and do before your appointment with us.
Before Your Appointment
- Wear a two-piece outfit (for example, a top and pants or a skirt), so you only need to remove your top and bra.
- Do not wear deodorant, antiperspirant, powders, lotions, or perfumes under your arms or on your breasts the day of the exam, as these may appear on images.
- If possible, schedule your screening mammogram within one week after your menstrual period, when your breasts tend to be less sensitive.
- Bring any prior mammogram images or CDs if your previous screening was done at a facility not affiliated with VPFW.
- Check with your insurance provider in advance to confirm coverage for 2-D and 3-D mammograms. Most carriers at VPFW locations are now fully covering both.
At the Appointment
Plan to arrive a few minutes early to complete any registration or update your history.
After the Exam
- Save the paper you receive at the end of your appointment containing instructions for securely accessing your mammogram results. You’ll typically receive your results within 7 to 10 business days, especially if we have your prior mammograms at the time of your exam.
- If you experience unusual discomfort afterwards or notice any changes, don’t hesitate to call VPFW for guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mammograms
Having a regular clinical breast exam is the easiest way to find breast cancer early or determine if you are a high-risk patient. If you’re feeling uneasy about your current state of health, are ready to go beyond a breast self-exam, or need other assistance with breast care, here are some frequently asked questions about mammograms that can help you take the next step on your journey to improved health.
When should I get a mammogram?
Our physicians recommend that women aged 40 and older should have a mammogram done every year to detect any abnormalities or changes. If your mother or sister has or had breast cancer, we recommend that you begin getting annual screening mammograms beginning 10 years earlier than when this family memberwas diagnosed.
Of course, the best way to determine when you should get a mammogram is to discuss your family medical history, risk factors, and any questions and concerns you may have with your provider. Learn more about Screening Mammograms: When to Start, the Odds of Getting “Called Back” and How They Can Save Your Life by Dr. Emily Stone.
What should I expect during my mammogram?
When you arrive for your mammogram, you will be asked to undress from the waist up and change into a gown. The technologist will go over a list of medical history questions with you and then perform the mammogram. The breast is briefly compressed in two different projections.
The total exam takes about 10 minutes. Sometimes extra images are taken to include all of the breast tissue. Learn more about how to prepare for your screening mammogram appointment at VPFW.
How long does a mammogram take?
A screening mammogram is a quick procedure, and most appointments take about 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish. The breast is compressed briefly in two different positions while the technologist captures clear images of your breast tissue. In some cases, extra images may be needed to include all of the breast tissue, but the entire process is still relatively fast.
If you’re scheduling your first mammogram or you have questions about what to expect, our technologists are here to guide you through each step and help you feel comfortable throughout your exam.
Do mammograms hurt?
When going for a mammogram, it’s natural to be concerned about the extent of pain or discomfort the procedure may cause. Before going for an exam, it helps to know what to expect, whether it would hurt, and the probable side effects, if any.
Before we delve into the pain aspect, it’s important to touch upon the technicalities involved in the mammogram. For the purpose of the X-ray, the breast tissue needs to be spread out so the projected image can clearly detect any lumps or other inconsistencies.
This means you may feel the pressure against your breast as it is compressed by a plate while the X-ray image is being captured from various angles. But rest assured that this step of the procedure lasts for a few minutes only.
However, keep in mind that it is normal to feel pain or discomfort from the pressure applied by the machine during the exam. All the same, it helps to know that most women feel only some amount of discomfort and no pain, and others feel extreme pain during the screening. Still, others feel nothing at all as they’re being screened.
The reason for the differing amounts of pain can be attributed to the following factors:
- Size and structure of the breast
- Presence of harmless cysts on the breast
- Whether the screening is held during or immediately before a period, which can increase breast sensitivity
- Tolerance for pain
- Positioning of the machine
A combination of these factors can greatly influence the amount of pain or discomfort felt during or after the exam. To reduce the overall breast sensitivity, schedule the mammogram a week after the menstrual period, if possible. Also, if extreme discomfort or pain is felt during the screening, it is important to let the technologist know as it could be because of improper positioning or the wrong height of the equipment.
Should I expect pain post screening?
Most women do not feel any pain at all after the exam. However, some may continue to feel some amount of lingering pain or tenderness while some may even experience minor bruising. To reduce discomfort or pain, it’s recommended to avoid wearing a bra with an underwire for the rest of the day after the screening. Wearing a padded sports bra instead might help relieve the discomfort.
Women who are particularly concerned about the probable pain may want to consult their healthcare provider regarding the suitability of taking pain medicine. Based on their medical history, the physician will determine whether taking over-the-counter pain medication before the screening would be the right course of action.
How do I access my mammogram results?
If you opt to receive your results via email:
When you come for your appointment, you will be given a instructions for entering a passcode in order to view your results. Keep these instructions!
Your results will be sent to you via email from pen.connect@vpfw.com within 7-10 business days of your mammogram (provided we have your prior mammograms at the time of your exam). Use the passcode instructions on the card to access your results in the attachment of this email.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 804-897-2100 ext. 1789.
If you opt to receive your results via mail:
Your results will be sent to the mailing address provided within 7-10 business days of your mammogram, provided we have your prior mammograms at the time of your exam.
What happens if you find something?
We know it’s not easy, but it’s important to remember to not panic. The majority of lumps found in breasts are benign. If a radiologist does detect an abnormality in your scan, then you will be referred to the hospital for further screening.
You will have a follow-up mammogram and/or breast ultrasound done. If needed, you may also have a biopsy.
Learn more in Dr. Emily Stone’s blog post, Screening Mammograms: When to Start, the Odds of Getting “Called Back” and How They Can Save Your Life.
Can I get my mammogram done at VPFW even if I’ve gone somewhere else for previous screenings?
Of course! Whether you are a new or established patient, you can always choose to schedule your mammogram at any of our Richmond, VA locations (West Creek, Koger Center (formerly Midlothian Turnpike), St. Francis) or at our Colonial Heights/Prince George office.
If your previous mammograms were performed at any of the following HCA or Bon Secours Mercy Health facilities, then the radiologist can request electronic access to those images. You do not need to obtain them yourself.
- Johnston-Willis Hospital
- John Randolph Medical Center
- Retreat Doctors Hospital
- Henrico Doctors Hospital
- Chippenham Hospital
- Independence Park Imaging
- Appomattox Imaging Center
- Chesterfield Imaging Center
- Richmond Women’s Specialists
- St. Mary’s Women’s Imaging Center
- St. Francis Medical Center
- Richmond Community Hospital
- Bon Secours Imaging Center at Reynolds Crossing
- Memorial Regional Medical Center
- Laburnum Diagnostic
- Westchester Imaging Center
- Richmond OB-Gyn at St. Francis
- Bon Secours Imaging Center at Innsbrook
If your previous mammograms were not performed at an HCA or Bon Secours Mercy Health facility, please obtain the CDs of your images prior to your appointment.
Please be aware that most facilities require advanced notice to prepare your mammography images, so please contact them as soon as possible if you plan to pick them up yourself.
To make an appointment with an OB/GYN provider at one of our Richmond, VA, locations, call VPFW at 804-897-2100 or message us to schedule online.