Mammograms

3D Mammography

• Why are Mammograns important?
  
  Mammograms are important because they're the primary screening test for early detection of Breast Cancer.   
                                                    
  
• Mammograms are low- dose X-Rays that look for early signs of breast cancer.
  
  Finding breast cancer during the early stages is the best was to reduce mortality and morbidity from breast cancers. Screening mammograms can find cancers in Stage 0 that can have a 100% cure rate.
  
  
• Mammograms are also used to diagnose breast conditions.
  
  You may need a diagnostic mammogram if you have a new breast lump, breast pain or changes to your nipple or the skin covering your breast.                                                                                                          
• What do doctors look for in a mammogram?
  
  Breast Imaging doctors look for signs of breast cancer such as a mass, groups of calcifications and other subtle signs of cancer. Findings that could possiable indicate cancer need to undergo additional testing with a diagnostic mammogram and or a breast ultrasound with biopsy of the abnornal findings preformed as needed to confirm or exclude breast cancer.
  
  
• What happens during the Mammogram?
  
  The Mammography Technologist explains the details of your mammogram procedure before you start the test so you know what to expect. They recommend you come to your Mammogram appointment wearing a shirt you can easily remove. (Remember NO Lotion, Oil or Deoderant should be applied before your mammogram).                                                                                                                  
• After changing into the exam gown, the technologist has you stand in front of the X-Ray machiene. They position one of your breast on the X-Ray machiene, flattening out the breast tissue. You may feel some pressure during this part of your Mammogram but little to no pain.
• The Technologist takes pictures of the breast and then adjusts your body so they can get pictures of your breast tissue from different angles. They repete these steps for the other breast.                                                                                                                                 
• Mammograms at My Choice takes about 15-20 minutes.                                    
• Women without a risk factor such as no family history of breast cancer are recommended to undergo screening Mammogram yearly starting at the age of 40 years and continuning until a life expectancy of 7-10 years. Those with a family history of cancer may need to start screening earlier than 40 years. We will advise you on when screening should commence. 

Call the My Choice Imaging center today or book your Mammogram online!

• Why are mammograms important?

Mammograms are important because they’re the primary screening test for breast cancer. 

• Mammograms are low-dose X-rays that look for early signs of breast cancer. Finding breast cancer during the early stages increases your chances of a full recovery.

Doctors also use mammograms to diagnose breast conditions. You may need a diagnostic mammogram if you have a new breast lump, breast pain, or changes to your nipple or the skin covering your breast. 

What do doctors look for in mammograms?

Mammogram images show varying shades of black, white, and gray based on the amount of radiation the tissue absorbs. The more radiation the tissue absorbs, the lighter the image. Calcium absorbs the most, creating white images, while air absorbs the least and appears black. 

Doctors use the images from the mammogram to look for masses, lumps, and calcifications. The images also show asymmetry of the breasts. 

Mammograms don’t diagnose breast cancer, but they can determine if you need additional tests to confirm or rule out breast cancer. 

What happens during mammograms?

The team at My Choice Imaging explains the details of your mammogram before you start the test so you know what to expect. They recommend you come to your mammogram wearing a shirt you can easily remove.

After changing into an exam gown, the technician has you stand in front of the X-ray machine. They position one of your breasts on the X-ray plate and adjust your head, arm, and body so they can get all of the breast tissue onto the plate. 

They lower the top plate of the X-ray machine, flattening out the breast tissue. You may feel some pressure during this part of your mammogram, but little to no pain. 

The technician takes pictures of the breast and then adjusts your body so they can get pictures of your breast tissue from different angles. They repeat these steps for the other breast. 

Mammograms at My Choice Imaging take less than 30 minutes. The skilled radiologists review the images and send a report to your referring physician, who discusses the results with you. 

Women can start mammograms for breast cancer screening at age 40 and repeat the screening test every year until 54. At 55, women can choose to have mammograms every year or every other year.

Call My Choice Imaging today or schedule your mammogram using the online booking button.