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Breast health · Questions, answered

Breast Cancer Screening FAQ

The questions patients ask most, answered briefly, with a link to the fuller explanation for each.

Request a screening visit (214) 233-3094
In short
Start mammograms at 40 if you are at average risk. Expect to be screened every one or two years. A screening mammogram is usually covered in full. A callback is common and usually not cancer. And if you have noticed a change, do not wait for your next screening.

Medically reviewed by Charles Ortega, PA-C, MPAS · Last reviewed October 1, 2026 · Educational information, not medical advice. Innovare Tx does not perform mammograms.

Where to start

If you are 40 or older and have never had a mammogram, the first step is simple: book a screening visit or call (214) 233-3094. If you are younger and breast or ovarian cancer runs in your family, the first step is the same, because your screening may need to start earlier.

If you have noticed a lump or another change, call rather than waiting. That is evaluated differently from routine screening.

More help

Susan G. Komen offers a free breast care helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636), with information on screening, low-cost mammograms and support after a diagnosis. Its guide to breast cancer screening is a good companion to this hub.

Frequently asked questions

At 40, if you are at average risk. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, ACOG and the American College of Radiology recommend starting at 40; the American Cancer Society gives the option from 40 and recommends it from 45. See screening guidelines.
Every one or two years, depending on which guideline you and your provider follow and on your own risk. The Task Force recommends every two years; the American College of Radiology recommends every year.
Yes. Only up to about 10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, so most people who are diagnosed have no known inherited cause. See risk factors.
No. Innovare Tx does not perform mammograms. We review your risk, help you arrange one at an imaging center, and go over the results with you. See the screening visit.
With insurance, a screening mammogram is usually covered in full for women 40 and older when you use an in-network provider. Medicare covers one every 12 months. Without insurance, Texas has a program that provides free screening to people who qualify. See cost and insurance.
Compression is uncomfortable for most people and lasts about 10 to 15 seconds per image. The whole procedure takes about 20 minutes. See what to expect.
It means the radiologist needs more images. It is common, and fewer than 1 in 10 women called back are found to have cancer. See understanding your results.
Keep having mammograms, and bring the report to your provider. About half of women who have mammograms have dense breasts. Whether to add another test depends on your other risk factors. See dense breasts.
A new lump in the breast or underarm, thickening or swelling, dimpling or irritation of the skin, redness or flaky skin, a nipple that pulls inward, nipple discharge other than breast milk, or a change in size or shape. See signs and symptoms.
The American Cancer Society says self-exams are not enough for screening on their own. It does recommend knowing how your breasts normally look and feel, and reporting any change to a provider right away.
Only if your personal or family history suggests an inherited gene change. The first step is a risk assessment and, if it is positive, genetic counseling. See high-risk screening.
Yes. About 1 in every 100 breast cancers in the United States is found in a man. See breast cancer in men.

Sources

Keep reading

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See everything in the breast health hub

Ready to get your screening arranged?

Book a visit at our Addison clinic. We review your risk, help you arrange a mammogram at an imaging center, and go over the results with you.

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