Mammography

You can schedule your screening mammogram without a physician's order if you've seen your healthcare provider within the last three years and you do not have any breast health problems. Otherwise, you will need to obtain a referral from your provider.

Choose from three ways to schedule your mammogram screening appointment.

Mammography is an imaging tool that is used to screen for breast cancer and other breast problems. The images produced are referred to as mammograms.

A screening mammogram is for every woman, age 40 and older as part of routine preventive healthcare.

For most women, the result of their mammogram will be normal.

A mammogram is an outpatient procedure. The mammography testing equipment uses breast compression to generate images of the breast tissue. During the examination, a technician will position your breast on the platform to compress your breast gradually. A technician will guide you through positions until all the necessary images have been captured.

Once the examination is complete, your images are sent to a radiologist for analysis.

MammoPad® breast cushion helps minimize discomfort, and the SmartCurve^TM breast stabilization system helps alleviate the compression pain that some women feel.

Bronson Healthcare breast imaging director and radiologist, Dr. Christina Jacobs, talks about the safe and caring environment we have for all patients who are scheduled for a mammogram or other imaging test at Bronson.

Bronson offers five types of mammography: computer-aided detection (CAD), diagnostic, digital, screening and 3D mammograms.

• Computer-aided detection (CAD) – Uses computer software to search for abnormal areas of density, mass or calcification that may indicate the presence of cancer.
• Diagnostic mammogram – Used to evaluate the area of concern on an abnormal screening exam.
• Digital mammogram – Replaces X-ray film with solid-state detectors that convert X-rays into electrical signals that can then be seen on a computer screen.
• Screening mammogram – Shows changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Screening mammograms are available using 2D and 3D technologies.
• 3D Mammography – This is one of the newest technologies in breast imaging, also referred to as tomosynthesis. This advanced technology allows the radiologist to see dense breast tissue in "multiple slices" from many different angles. It improves accuracy and sensitivity as compared to a standard screening (2D) mammogram. 3D Mammograms can help detect cancer in women, especially those with dense breast tissue. To help with early detection, Michigan passed the Breast Density Notification Law in June 2015.

All Bronson mammography testing locations offer 2D and 3D mammograms.

Not all insurance companies cover the full cost of a 3D mammogram. Check with your insurance provider before scheduling your mammogram so you know what amount of coverage to expect. Your insurance company may cover the standard mammogram cost, but you may be responsible for the 3D portion of the cost.

There are many reasons to get a mammogram. Although mammograms will not prevent a woman from getting breast cancer, they will aid in early detection and help find other breast problems, such as:

• Benign breast tumors, lumps and cysts
• Breast cancer
• Breast infections
• Breast inflammation
• Breast pain (mastalgia)
• Fibrocystic breast changes
• Nipple discharge and other nipple problems