North Memorial Health Breast Center – Robbinsdale

Check with your insurance company to see if 3D is covered prior to making your appointment. If not, North Memorial Health offers a 2D mammogram.

We have partnered with the Sage Program to offer free breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings which includes an office visit, mammogram, and Pap test. Call 1-888-643-2584 to see if you qualify.

Let the scheduler know if you are experiencing any symptoms and/or if you have a referral/order from a provider to help distinguish from a routine vs a diagnostic. Also let the technician know during your mammogram appointment.

If it is not time for your annual mammogram, please contact our Breast Health Nurse Navigators at 763-581-3552.

Yes, obtain prior medical records such as mammograms images or reports for comparison before your appointment. It is advisable to bring them to the appointment or have them transferred from the prior healthcare facility.

It may take time to obtain your previous films for comparison. Please allow a minimum of two (2) weeks before your exam to have your records transferred.

It is ok to eat, drink and take your daily medications as you typically would the day of your appointment. Your healthcare provider may provide specific instructions to follow before the mammogram, such as avoiding caffeine or taking pain medication. It is important to follow these instructions carefully to ensure accurate results.

The mammogram appointment generally takes about 30 minutes. If this is your first visit, please allow an extra 10-15 minutes to get checked in.

It is recommended to wear a two-piece outfit where the top can easily be removed and put back on as you will need to undress from the waist up. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes. You will be given a locker that has a lock on it to place your belongings during your appointment.

Avoid wearing a wire bra and neck jewelry. You will be asked to remove neck jewelry. It is recommended to remove body piercings from the chest area as it can affect the mammogram images and make the exam uncomfortable.

You will be given a robe or hospital gown with a choice of room temp or heated.  A heated hospital blanket is available to individuals wearing a hospital gown.

You can shower, bathe, shave your armpits, wear makeup and lotion on your face, and use hairspray before your mammogram.

Avoid wearing any creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, antiperspirant, and deodorants on your chest area and underarms as they can show up on the mammogram and interfere with the results.

If you have any products on your chest or underarms, staff will provide wipes to remove them prior to the mammogram.

Single use deodorant wipes are available to use after your mammogram.  Please note that you may bring your own deodorant or antiperspirant to use after your appointment.

1. Inform the healthcare provider about:
   • Any breast changes or symptoms you are experiencing.
   • If you have breast implants.
   • If you have trouble standing, holding still without a cane or walker, or holding your breath.
   • If you are breastfeeding.
   • If you are or think you might be pregnant.
   • Any concerns you may have.
2. Discuss any previous mammograms including the date and location of the previous exams, prior findings and/ or diagnosis such as breast cancer. This information can be useful for comparison and evaluation.
3. Ask questions: Don’t be afraid to ask any questions or express any concerns you may have before, during, or after the mammogram. This can help alleviate anxiety and ensure that you are well-informed about the procedure.

It is not uncommon to have some temporary discomfort as a result of the breast compression during the mammogram. You will be asked to twist your body and hold your arms in positions for short amounts of time that may feel awkward or uncomfortable.

You will need to hold still and hold your breath for several seconds while the images are being taken. It is important to relax and follow the instructions provided by the technologist to ensure clear and accurate images.

Please be aware that the technician will be touching your upper body, including your breast during the exam. This includes placing your breast on the mammogram machine and adjusting your breast and body as needed. If you feel pain at any time, inform the technician and they will work to release some of the pain.

If you’ve experienced pain with previous tests, you can either speak with your provider ahead of time about taking an over-the-counter pain medication about one hour before the exam

Results are typically available the same day or next day in MyChart.  If you do not have a MyChart account, please let the staff know so they can help get that setup for you. Results can also be mailed to you if you prefer.

The technician cannot provide the results to you as the images have to be reviewed by a Radiologist.