Do you book your doctors’ appointments in advance?  A little planning now can help you keep up with important health checks that could save your life one day.

Routine mammograms are one of those important checks. About 1 in 8 American women will get breast cancer at some point in their lives. But when breast cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate is over 99 percent.

Getting regular screening tests is the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat. Just choose a date and schedule yours. It’s a big step toward reducing your risk for breast cancer.

Need to find a doctor to schedule your mammogram? Find doctors, hospitals and urgent care centers in your plan’s network. Log in to your member account and go to Find Care.

• Book time before appointments fill up
• Confirm your preferred location is in-network

Get Ready for Your Mammogram

Millions of women get mammograms every year. Wondering how to prepare for your exam? Here’s some advice  from John Hopkins Medical Imaging.     

• Wear a comfortable two-piece outfit that’s easy to remove. You’ll undress from your waist up and wear a gown.
• Don’t wear perfume, deodorant or powder. They may look like white spots on the x-ray.

Be ready to talk about any breast changes or symptoms you’ve noticed. Your health care team needs to know this vital information.

If you see a new doctor or change your screening location, have your previous mammograms sent to the new location before your appointment. This will let the radiologist compare the images and check for changes in your breasts.

Review Your Results

After your screening, your results will be sent to your doctor for review. Next, you’ll likely get a letter in the mail with your mammogram results.

Your doctor can let you know when you should have your next screening. The letter may also have recommendations for next steps. Follow up with your doctor about any questions. 

Enjoy Prevention’s Rewards

After your screening, your results will be sent to your doctor for review. Next, you’ll likely get a letter in the mail, or in the provider’s portal, with your mammogram results.

Your doctor can let you know when you should have your next screening. The letter may also have recommendations for next steps. Follow up with your doctor about any questions. 

Sources: Key Statistics for Breast Cancer,  American Cancer Society, 2026; About Breast Cancer: Early Detection,  National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., 2026; Mammograms,  Johns Hopkins Medicine; Preparing for a Mammogram,  Johns Hopkins Medicine