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Screening Mammograms
For those with no current breast problems. Screening mammograms
can be scheduled with or without a physician referral. To offer
easier access than ever, we have expanded the hours on Monday and
Tuesday evenings at Mercy Hospital.
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Diagnostic Mammograms
For a follow-up from a screening or for those with a current
breast problem. If a screening mammogram indicates a potential
problem, your physician will want to schedule for a more
sophisticated test.
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Diagnostic Ultrasound
Using sound waves to produce an image, today's advanced equipment
can image all soft tissue organs in the body, as well as veins and
arteries, in a safe and painless procedure. Mercy's Accredited
Vascular Laboratory works closely with the Breast Health Resource
& Lymphedema Center and Mercy's Mammography Centers to provide
patients with the most complete array of care possible.
Why is Mammogram performed?
Mammogram is performed to screen healthy women for signs of
breast cancer. It is also used 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.
Screening mammograms are important for early breast cancer
detection. The American Cancer Society recommends mammogram
screening every year for all women age 40 and older. The National
Cancer Institute recommends mammogram screening every 1 to 2 years
for women age 40 and older. Experts recommend that certain women at
high risk of breast cancer should also have a breast MRI along with
their yearly mammogram. Ask your doctor if you need an MRI.
Guidelines from the American College of Physicians, however, debate
whether women with a low risk for breast cancer should begin
mammogram screening at age 40. The 2007 guidelines, instead,
recommend that women in their 40s ask their doctor when they should
begin having the test.
In addition to mammography, clinical breast exams (where the
clinician palpates with the fingers) and breast self-examinations
are important for breast cancer screening. Women age 20 and older
should receive clinical breast exams every 3 years; women age 40 and
older should receive clinical breast exams every year. The American
Cancer Society recommends that all women age 20 and older perform
monthly breast self-examination.
These are general recommendations for mammography, clinical breast
exams, and breast self-exam. Women should discuss with their
personal physician how often to receive breast cancer screening,
including mammography and clinical breast exam. Recommendations vary
depending on personal risk factors such a strong family history of
breast cancer.
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