Mammography

What is a Mammogram?
A mammogram is an x-ray examination of the breast used to detect and diagnose breast disease in women who have no breast problems and women who have problems such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge.

The exam is performed by a certified mammography technologist. X-ray pictures are taken with a special machine only for breast x-ray. This machine produces pictures that are high image quality with the least amount of radiation. After the x-ray pictures are taken, they are “read” or interpreted by a radiologist. Radiologists are doctors who have special training in looking at images of the inside of the body produced by x-rays, sound waves, magnetic fields and other methods.

It is important for the radiologist to have the films from previous exams. By comparing the new mammogram with the previous exams, any small changes in the breast can be detected. The radiologist may also request additional pictures or a breast ultrasound.

Vista Radiology, P.C. is certified by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and by the FDA to do mammography. To schedule a mammogram, call the office and let the scheduler know where your last mammogram was taken. The exam takes approximately half an hour and the results are sent to your doctor. You will also receive a letter in the mail discussing your mammogram results.

Who should have a mammogram?
The American Cancer Society Recommendations for Early Breast Cancer Detection:

Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year, and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.
Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast examination (CBE) as part of a periodic (regular) health exam by a health professional preferably every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year.
Breast self-examination (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s. Women should be told about the benefits and limitations of BSE. Women should report any breast changes to their health professional right away.
Women at increased risk should talk with their doctor about the benefits and limitations of starting mammograms when they are younger, having additional tests, or having more frequent exams. Women should discuss with their doctor what approaches are best for them. Although the evidence currently available does not justify recommending ultrasound or MRI for screening, women at increased risk might benefit from these exams.

Preparing for a Mammogram

Schedule the mammogram one week after your period (if you still have periods) when your breasts are less tender.
Let our technologist know if you have breast implants
You have any scars or moles on or near your breasts
You have had breast biopsy or surgery
You are breast-feeding.
On the morning of your test, do not use deodorant, powder or perfume.
You will only need to undress from the waist up so wear a blouse or sweater that can be easily removed.

The Mammogram - what to expect:
Most technologists are women, and you and the technologist are the only ones present during the mammogram. The technologist will position your breasts for each x-ray. Each of the breasts will be compressed. You may feel some discomfort, but the compression only lasts a few seconds. Compressing the breast helps get the most complete x-ray image. For some women, compression can be painful. To help lessen this discomfort, don’t have a mammogram just before or during your menstrual period. If the level of compression is too painful, ask the technologist if the amount of compression can be reduced.

Once the exam is finished, the technologist may have you wait a few minutes to make sure the images are technically satisfactory. However, if you are having a diagnostic mammogram, the technologist will have you wait until the radiologist reads the x-rays.

How to examine your breasts:

In the Shower:
Raise one arm. With fingers flat, touch every part of each breast, gently feeling for a lump or thickening. Use your right hand to examine your left breast, your left hand for your right breast.

Before a Mirror:
With arms at your sides, then raised above your head, look carefully for changes in the size, shape and contour of each breast. Look for puckering, dimpling, or changes in skin texture. Gently squeeze both nipples and look for discharge.

Lying Down:
To examine your right breast, put a pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder. Place right hand behind your head—this distributes breast tissue more evenly on the chest. With the left hand, fingers flat press gently in small circular motions around an imaginary clock face.
Begin at the outermost top of your right breast for 12 o’clock, and then move to 1 o’clock, and so on around the circle back to 12. A ridge of firm tissue in the lower curve of each breast is normal. Then move in an inch, toward the nipple, keep circling to examine every part of your breast including the nipple. This requires at least three more circles. Repeat this procedure on your left breast. Finally, squeeze the nipple of each breast gently between thumb and index finger. Any discharge, clear or bloody, should be reported to your doctor immediately.

The American Cancer Society believes the use of regular mammograms, clinical breast exams, and women’s awareness about changes in their breasts are an important part of every woman’s breast health plan, and are the best approach to detecting breast cancer early when treatment is most successful and when the range of treatment options is greatest. This combined approach is clearly better than any one examination. Without question, breast physical examination without mammograms would miss many breast cancers that are too small for a woman or her doctor to feel but can’t be seen on mammograms. Although a mammogram is the most sensitive screening method, a small percentage of breast cancers do not show up on a mammogram but can be felt by a woman or her doctors.

Where can you have a mammogram?

Vista Radiology
2001 Laurel Avenue
Knoxville, TN   37916
865-595-4100

Thompson Cancer Survival Center
1915 White Avenue
Knoxville, TN    37916
865-541-1678

Parkwest Comprehensive Breast Center
9349 Park West Boulevard, Suite 205
Knoxville, TN   37923
(865) 373-7010

Ft. Sanders West Diagnostic Center
210 Ft. Sanders West Blvd.
Knoxville, TN    37922
(865) 531-5400

HealthSouth Outpatient Diagnostic Center
601 Mulvaney St.
Knoxville, TN    37915
(865) 525-7000

Roane Medical Center
412 Devonia St.
Harriman, TN   37748
(865) 882-4389