Mammography
Mammography is performed to screen healthy women for signs of breast cancer. It is also used to follow up on findings from screenings or to evaluate a woman who has symptoms of a breast disease, such as a lump, nipple discharge, breast pain, dimpling of the skin on the breast, or retraction of the nipple.
Since mammograms can detect cancers before you can feel them with your fingers, it is the best way to find breast cancer early. However, as with all medical tests, mammography is not perfect. A mammogram may show abnormalities that are not breast cancer, or not show an abnormality that is breast cancer. Sometimes the doctor will use ultrasound to further examine an abnormality and evaluate the next best step.
Sometimes a woman may find an abnormality not found on her mammogram. If you find anything unusual, call your doctor right away. Do not wait. We want you to take charge of your health and take care of yourself. Be sure to follow a program for good breast health.
Make sure to tell your doctor if there you have a family history of breast cancer. However, every woman is at risk for breast cancer, not just women who have a family member who has breast cancer. But before you let that scare you, know this:
When detected early, breast cancer can be treated successfully. We recommend this program for good breast health:
- Follow a healthy lifestyle.
- Eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, avoid excessive amounts of alcohol, and do not smoke.
- From age 20 on, have a breast exam by a doctor or nurse at least every 3 years. Learn the feel of your breasts and know how to recognize changes. Many pre-menopausal women have lumpy breasts, which is not a cause for worry. If you find anything unusual, call your doctor right away.
- From age 40 on, get a mammogram, and have one every year. A mammogram is the best way to find breast cancer early. Have a clinical breast exam by a doctor or nurse every year, and talk to your doctor about how to recognize lumps or changes in your breasts. If you find anything unusual, call your doctor right away.
Cooper Green Mercy' Hospital's mammography services comply with the FDA Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA), which was enacted by the government to establish national quality standards for mammography. We received no deficiencies at our most recent FDA inspection. We offer a complete range of breast imaging services, as well as other breast evaluations and surgical procedures. These include digital mammography, breast ultrasound, breast biopsy, fine needle biopsy, and breast surgery.
You can be sure that you will receive exceptional attention from our highly trained and professional staff of board certified radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, oncologists, nurses, state-licensed, registered mammographers and sonographers. All are committed to providing you with an accurate and rapid diagnosis.
Within a few days of your mammogram, you will receive an explanation of your results in the mail, and you will also be reminded by mail when it is time to schedule your next annual exam. So it's very important that we always have your correct mailing address and phone number. Each time you are here for an appointment, please ensure that the registrar makes any necessary changes.
We look forward to working with you to ensure good breast health. You may schedule your mammogram by calling 205-930-3278. Medicare and some other insurers don't require physician orders for annual mammograms as long as they are at least 365 days apart. Check with your specific company to determine if it's necessary in your case. If your insurer does require a physician's order, simply bring it with you or have your physician fax it to us at 205-930-3706. If you have had a mammogram at another facility, be sure to bring your films with you to Cooper Green Mercy. This will allow our radiologists to compare your mammogram done here with your previous mammogram(s).
Click here for patient preparation instructions in English.
Click here for patient preparation instructions in Spanish.
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