9. Know Your Legal Protections. 

The Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) is a Federal law designed to ensure that mammography is safe and reliable. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or an FDA-approved Certifiying State must certify all mammography facilities. The facility must have mammography equipment that is tested periodically, employ trained personnel to administer tests and interpret data, and have a quality assurance program.

They also must have a system for following up on abnormal mammographic findings and obtaining biopsy results.

Ask your doctor or staff at the local mammography facility about FDA certification before making an appointment. All facilities are required to display their FDA certificate, and women should look for the certificate and check for its expiration date.

Have any questions about breast cancer or mammograms? Visit The Denise Roberts Breast Cancer Foundation’s website!