An X-ray picture of the breast using compression to spread out the breast tissue to look for abnormalities. The American Cancer Society recommends baseline at age 35 (May start earlier if a close family member had breast cancer at a young age) and annually after age 40.
Women without any risk factors for breast cancer still should get annual mammograms because the great majority of breast cancer patients have no risk factors at all. Approximately 75 percent of patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no risk factors, making it that much more important that every woman have a screening mammogram each year. Annual mammograms save lives. Experts recommend that women age 40 and over have annual mammograms. In the past controversy existed about whether or not women should get mammograms between the ages of 40 and 50. However, studies have shown that breast cancer tends to be more aggressive in women in this age group so it is especially important for women to get their annual mammograms starting at age 40.
Are used to check for breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms.
Are used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other signs or symptoms have been found.
Is the latest technology in breast cancer detection in patients with dense breast tissue. This machine allows a clearer, more detailed image as a follow-up to a conventional mammogram. SimonMed Imaging is also pioneering work in automated 3D breast ultrasound from Siemens (ABVS) and GE (ABUS) that can create ultra-high resolution breast images that can be reconstructed in multiple planes to evaluate for breast cancer.
Three-dimensional (3D) mammography, also known as breast tomosynthesis, is a type of digital mammography in which x-ray machines are used to take pictures of thin slices of the breast from different angles and computer software is used to reconstruct an image.