A mammogram is a low dose x-ray of the breasts. Here at Salem Radiology, we use 3D mammography, also known as tomosynthesis. 3D mammography is an advancement in breast imaging that is a more accurate procedure in the fight against breast cancer.
Extensive research published by imaging researchers established 3D as superior to conventional 2D mammography. This has been confirmed in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) which supports the clinical superiority of 3D technology.
The benefits of 3D mammography include:
Detection of breast cancers 15 months earlier than conventional 2D mammography
Callback exams to obtain additional views are reduced by 40%
Identifies 41% more invasive cancers than conventional mammography alone.
What to expect:
How to prepare: For the day of your exam, please do not wear any powder or deodorant on the breast or underarms. These can mimic abnormalities on mammography. For your convenience, please wear a two – piece outfit to your appointment. When you arrive, you will be asked to remove all clothing from the waist up and put on a gown that opens to the front.
What it’s like: You stand in place and a trained technologist will place one breast at a time on the machine platform. Your tech will then use an acrylic plate to apply pressure to your breast for a short period of time. This is called compression and helps the machine take a better images.
At SRC, we take pride in performing mammograms in a caring and gentle manner. While compression can be uncomfortable, your imaging professional will do their best to work quickly and keep you as comfortable as possible. You can expect your visit to last about 20-30 minutes.
Results:
One of our board-certified radiologists will review your images and send a report to your referring physician. We will notify you as well.
If an abnormality is seen on your imaging, we will contact you to schedule any additional tests you might need as soon as possible.
When to start getting mammograms:
Salem Radiology recommends annual screening mammograms starting at age 40. You may start earlier if you are at higher risk or have other health factors. Please discuss these with your healthcare provider.
For more information about risk factors, including breast density information, please click below.
