Breast health

• 2D and 3D mammography (screening and diagnostic)
• Bone density testing
• Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Breast ultrasound
• Cyst aspiration (drains fluid from a cyst in the breast)
• Needle aspiration (diagnostic procedure to gather a breast tissue sample)
• Needle localization (locates breast abnormalities that are seen on imaging results)
• Pathology support
• Second-opinion counseling
• Sentinel node injection (procedure to identify spread of cancer)
• Stereotactic breast biopsy (identifies an abnormality within the breast)
• Ultrasound-guided core biopsy (removal of breast tissue for testing)

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes brittle, weak bones, and a woman's risk for osteoporosis increases with age. Additionally, breast cancer treatment can also lower bone density. We often combine bone density testing with our breast health services for that reason. With bone density testing, we can detect low bone mass and osteoporosis in their earliest stages.

Through early identification of decreased bone mass or osteoporosis, we can create a care plan to preserve your bone health and reduce your risk of fractures.

A mammogram, one of the most effective screening tools for breast cancer, is a diagnostic exam that uses low-dose X-rays to make a picture of breast tissue. Mammograms can detect tumors up to two years before you or your doctor can feel the lump.

Digital mammography is more accurate at finding breast cancer than traditional film mammograms. This is because the digital images can be recolored or enlarged to provide a more detailed analysis.

The process for a 2D mammogram and a 3D mammogram is very similar. The primary difference is that 3D mammograms provide more images from multiple angles to create a 3D image of the breast. 3D mammograms take slightly longer to perform and use a slightly higher dose of radiation.

To further distinguish the two types of mammography, think of a book. When you look at the front and back of a book, you can only see what is on the surface. To see inside the book, you must flip through the page. 3D mammography allows our radiologists to better analyze the details of your breast tissue, like opening a book and reading through the pages. As a result, readings are more accurate.

Mammograms generally take 20 to 30 minutes. Some women experience slight discomfort while the breast is being compressed between the plates of the X-ray machine. For this reason, we advise scheduling a mammogram for when the breast tissue is least tender, which is usually the week after your period.

About one in every eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Early detection is a key component in breast cancer treatment, which is why regular breast cancer screening is so important.

While most instances of breast cancer can't be related to a certain cause, there are known breast cancer risk factors, including:

• Age — Almost 80 percent of breast cancers occur in women 50 years old and older.
• Childbearing history — Women who have their first child later in life and women who never have children are at higher risk.
• Early menstruation and/or late menopause — Getting your period early (11 years old or younger) or a late start to menopause (55 years old or older) can result in a higher risk of breast cancer.
• Family history of breast cancer — If one of your relatives, especially your mother or sister, was diagnosed with breast cancer, you have a higher risk of getting the disease yourself.
• Previous diagnosis of breast cancer — Having been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past increases the chances of a future diagnosis.

It's important to talk to your healthcare provider about any individual risk factors you may have and the right breast cancer screening schedule for you.