Screening mammography for women of average risk of breast cancer can begin at age 40. Together you and your family doctor can decide what’s best for you. Fortunately, when breast cancer is found early, this disease is highly treatable. Getting a mammogram is a key to early detection. In fact, a mammogram can detect a lump in your breast months—and even years—before you can feel it.
At SCL Health, you have access to the highest quality digital mammography equipment. This specially designed technology produces high-resolution images that are very clear and allow our board certified radiologists to detect and diagnose cancers in the earliest stages. Mammography images can be manipulated on screen, giving your radiologist highly detailed views and information. This technology is available whether you have your screening completed at one of our medical centers or in one of our mobile mammography units.
Mammograms are one of the most important health screenings that women can have. Mammograms not only detect changes in a woman’s breast health well before an abnormal mass can be felt, they also greatly improve breast cancer survival rates. In fact the average five-year survival rate for women is 98% when breast cancer is detected in its earliest stages. In addition to these benefits, mammography and early detection lower the need for extensive, late-stage breast cancer treatments and allow for improved breast conservation should surgery be required.
See SCL Health mammography guidelines.
SCL Health is home to the most advanced screening technologies available for the early detection of breast cancer – digital tomosynthesis (also known as 3-D mammography). Compared to traditional mammograms, 3-D mammograms compile breast images from multiple angles to produce a clearer, more detailed rendering of a woman's breast tissue. This results in higher levels of detection, especially for invasive forms of breast cancer and particularly in denser breasts.
Breast density is increasingly recognized as an independent risk factor for the development of breast cancer. In fact, you are at an equal or greater risk for developing breast cancer than if you have one or two first degree relatives with breast cancer. At SCL Health, we feel that a woman should know what her breast density is so that she can make smarter decisions about what screenings she should receive. If you have dense breasts, you and your provider will know as it will be clearly stated on your official medical report. Additionally, you will have this stated on the results letter mailed to your home. Dense breasts are better imaged with 3-D mammography.
In some communities we offer the ease and convenience of mobile mammography to your business or community organization. With the most advanced mobile mammography technology, we can bring the same award-winning breast screening services of our breast centers straight to your doorstep.
Our breast care centers offer comprehensive resources for breast health, including:
