Specialized Training for You
Silver Creek Breast Imaging offers breast cancer prevention and treatment services including digital screening and diagnostic mammography. Our mission is to provide world class clinical care, accurately detect and diagnose breast cancer and reduce patient’s anxiety by providing timely results and information.
To optimize patient care-our dedicated radiologists, physicians who are specially trained and certified in breast imaging, work closely together with breast surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, and technologists to make up our Multidisciplinary Breast Program.
Women age 40 or older are recommended to have a screening mammogram once every year. Research has proven annual mammography helps detect early breast cancer when it is most curable. Women under the age of 40, who are at increased risk due to family history or have a past history of breast cancer, may want to speak with their physician whether they should begin screening before the age of 40.
A follow-up exam may be necessary to:
- Clarify questionable findings with additional views or a special imaging technique.
- Confirm if treatment is working or if an abnormality is stable.
What is a Mammogram?
A mammogram is a picture, or image of the breast, using low dose x-rays.
What is a Screening Mammogram?
A screening mammogram is used to examine the breast for the following:
- To detect breast disease in women who have had no previous signs or symptoms
- To evaluate any changes in the breast, and to detect tumors up to two years prior to them being felt.
- To detect tiny deposits of calcium which can sometimes indicate the presence of breast cancer.
What is a Diagnostic Mammogram?
A diagnostic mammogram is used to evaluate patients with abnormal clinical findings found by the patient’s doctor or the patient herself. Such changes can include but are not limited to:
- A lump or lumps in the breast
- Discharge, or fluid, from the nipple other than breast milk
- A nipple that is inverted (turned inward)
- Skin changes
- Swelling or thickening in the underarm area
Diagnostic mammography may also be used to further evaluate an abnormal screening mammogram or for patients with breast implants, whose breast tissue might be difficult to evaluate with a routine screening mammogram.
Please allow at least 1 hour for your diagnostic visit.
What will I experience during my exam?
A specially trained and registered technologist will gently position your breast on a special clear plastic platform. Once you are in the correct position, your breast will be held between the platform and the compression paddle. Compressing the breast is necessary in order to:
- Even out the breast thickness so all of the tissue can be visualized.
- Allow the use of a lower x-ray dose since a thinner amount of breast tissue is being imaged.
- Hold the breast still to minimize blurring of the image caused by motion.
You must hold very still and may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds while the x-ray picture is taken to reduce the possibility of a blurred image.
When will my results be ready?
A radiologist, a physician specifically trained to supervise and interpret radiology examinations, will analyze the images and send a signed report to your referring physician, who will discuss the results with you.