Getting your first mammogram can feel surprisingly confusing. Who do you call? Do you need a referral? What’s the difference between a screening mammogram and a diagnostic mammogram? And what happens if you find a lump before you ever reach the age for routine screening?

In this solo episode of Learned Too Late, Allyn breaks down the entire process of scheduling your first mammogram — step by step — so you know exactly what to do, what to ask, what to expect at the appointment, and how to understand the results afterward.

She explains the difference between routine screening and diagnostic imaging, how to find a breast imaging center, what questions to ask your doctor or insurance company, how to prepare for the appointment, and what actually happens during mammography.

The episode also walks through common terms you ma ...