Breast Health Questions to Ask Your Doctor

In addition to available mainstream information regarding breast health, there are still certain questions that women can discuss with their own OB/GYN or primary care provider. Never hold back from asking your doctor anything, she or he is highly trained and has seen it all, so there's no reason to feel embarrassed or silly. Remember, there are no stupid questions when it comes to good breast health!
 

• Are there any warning signs I should be aware of during or between monthly breast self-exams?
• What kind of breasts lumps do I have?
• How can I tell which breast lumps are not normal?

• What preventative measures are covered by my insurance?
• How should I prepare for a screening mammogram appointment?
• Does anything in my background indicate that I need to have mammograms more often than usual?
• What other diagnostic tests should I be aware of, given my personal risk factors?

• Who reads the screening mammograms at this facility?
• How long will it take to get the results of my screening mammogram and/or other breast exam?
• What do I need to be aware of if I have a negative test result?
• What do I need to be aware of if I obtain a positive result?
• If my screening/diagnostic mammogram shows an abnormality, what other tests may be performed?
• Who reads the diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs, biopsies, and/or other exam results?
• Will my insurance pay for these additional tests?
• How should I prepare for these additional tests?

• If everything comes back normal, how soon should I schedule a follow up appointment?
• What does the my screening mammogram report mean?
• I'm worried because many women in my family have had breast cancer. Is there anything else I can do?
• Am I considered low risk, average risk, or high risk for breast cancer?
• What steps can I take to lower my breast cancer risk?
• If breast cancer runs in my family, should I have genetic tests done? Should I ask family members who have had breast or other forms of cancer to be tested as well? Does my insurance cover these tests?