3 Things to Make Your First Mammogram Less Intimidating

There is some discrepancy regarding the right age to start getting regular mammograms. Women with an average risk of breast cancer are recommended to start as early as 40, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This breast test can help detect breast cancer early — before lumps or breast cancer symptoms appear — so it can be a life-saving appointment. Catching breast cancer early can improve your treatment outcome and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

While it’s a simple test, there are a few things you should know beforehand that will make your first mammogram less intimidating (and even more accurate).

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Sanjai Sinha, MD

Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in internal medicine.

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