According to the American Cancer Society, yearly mammograms and clinical breast exams for women age 40 and older are key to detecting breast cancer early, when the disease is most treatable. In combination, regular self-breast examination, routine breast care by a physician and an annual mammogram can be life saving.
Located in the Castrop Center, O’Bleness’ mammography suite has two mammography units that are approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration and have been accredited by the American College of Radiologists since 1990. Our mammography suite performs around 4,000 studies each year. O’Bleness’ certified mammography technologists use MammoPad, a soft foam cushion that provides a more comfortable mammogram. Our technologists encourage women to actively participate in their routine breast care.
Women should visit a physician for a clinical breast examination prior to having a mammogram. The patient’s physician will review risk factors and symptoms that may need to be relayed to the radiologist. The radiologist can then correlate this information to any evidence of disease on the mammogram image.
A radiologist carefully examines mammography images for changes in breast tissue that may suggest a disease process. A computer-aided detection system assists the radiologist in analyzing images. The radiologist also compares the current mammogram to previous mammograms.
If any questionable areas are identified with a mammogram, additional imaging may be recommended by the radiologist. The patient may be asked to return for additional mammography or a breast ultrasound. Accurate diagnosis of suspicious areas may require biopsy.
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