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The goal of mammography is to detect breast cancer at its earliest stage. Early detection maximizes the patient's chance for cure. Mammography can also detect pre-cancerous lesions. Early detection saves lives. A digital mammogram is a low-dose X-ray examination of the breast and is the most reliable screening method for breast cancer detection. Women who are 40 years of age or older should have a screening mammogram examination of their breasts routinely on a yearly basis according to the American Cancer Society, the American College of Radiology and the American Medical Association. Younger women may have mammograms in certain situations such as family history or due to symptoms. Our new women�s breast imaging suite utilizes the latest innovation in Digital Mammography which delivers the highest image quality at the lowest radiation dosage in the market. We are an American College of Radiology credited facility and are also in compliance with the regulations of the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA). Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) is routinely used at Yuba City Advanced Imaging Center to further review all screening and most diagnostic mammograms. After a radiologist has viewed your mammogram images, a specially designed CAD computer program scans the images and identifies areas that may require greater scrutiny. This technology, acts like a second set of eyes and helps our radiologist in detecting small abnormalities. All mammograms are also read by two radiologists, therefore providing yet another set of eyes. Early detection of breast cancer is our goal.
Preparing for your mammogram procedure: 1. Wear a comfortable top (a loose blouse or sweater rather than a dress). You will need to undress from the waist up. 2. Avoid deodorant, antiperspirant, creams or perfume on your underarm or breast area (these may mimic tiny calcifications or create artifacts on your images). 3. Bring previous mammograms images on a CD if possible. 4. Pre-Menopausal patients � best time to schedule your exam is the two weeks following your menstrual period, when your breasts are less tender. This will reduce the discomfort during the procedure. 5. Pregnant patients � if you are pregnant or think you are, we can modify your exam or postpone it for later. X-rays utilized by our Digital Mammogram are low dosage and are generally safe for the patient. However, unborn fetuses may be more vulnerable to even a small amount of X-ray exposure. Procedure day, what to expect: Arrive at Yuba City Advanced Imaging Center 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment. You will be asked to verify registration and history information. You will then be lead to a private women�s imaging suite and provided a gown to wear during your exam. A private waiting area is located next to the mammography room. Our mammography technologists who are highly trained, certified and licensed by the State of California will be taking your exam. Depending on your type of examination ordered by your physician, the technologist will take a few images of your breasts. 1. Screening mammogram: This is a screening examination and is performed on women with no signs or symptoms (no lumps, pain or discharge). Note that women with breast augmentation can still receive screening mammograms. Typically two images of each breast are obtained. Prior mammograms are used for comparison. 2. Diagnostic mammogram: This is diagnostic examination and is performed on women or men who have signs or symptoms such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge or recent breast biopsy or surgery or a history of breast cancer. It is also performed on women who have had a screening mammogram but need a detailed evaluation of an area on their breast. The type and number of mammogram images obtained are customized to each situation. A diagnostic work-up often includes an ultrasound of the breast. 3. Breast Implants: Women with breast implants may require additional �push-back� views of the breast to better visualize the breast tissue. You will be at the imaging center for approximately 15 to 30 minutes. However, if you are having a diagnostic work-up, or biopsy you may be at the center for up to one hour. Parking is available at the back side of the building. Please access the women�s imaging suite through the main entrance of the imaging center, on the Plumas Blvd. side of the building. The women�s imaging center is located within Yuba City Advanced Imaging Center on 470 Plumas Blvd. Ste. 101. The 470 Plumas Blvd medical building shares offices with Sutter North Medical Foundation. We are not affiliated with Sutter North or any hospital. We are a private, physician owned and operated outpatient imaging center where patients and their referring doctors truly come first. What your Mammogram and/or Breast Ultrasound might show: While they�re looking for possible cancer, your doctors may also come across masses or structures in the breast that deserve further investigation, including:
� Calcifications: Calcifications
are tiny flecks of calcium � like grains of salt � in the soft tissue of the
breast that can sometimes indicate the presence of an early breast cancer.
Calcifications usually can't be felt, but they appear on a mammogram. Depending
on how they're clustered and their shape, size, and number, your doctor may want
to do further tests.
� Cysts: Unlike
cancerous tumors, which are solid, cysts are
fluid-filled masses in the breast. Cysts are very common and are rarely
associated with cancer. A follow-up ultrasound is the best way to tell a cyst
from a cancer, because sound waves pass right through a liquid-filled cyst.
Solid lumps, on the other hand, bounce the waves right back. � Fibroadenomas: Fibroadenomas are movable, solid, rounded lumps made up of normal breast cells. While not cancerous, these lumps may grow. And any solid lump that's getting bigger is usually removed to make sure that it's not a cancer. Fibroadenomas are the most common kind of breast masses, especially in young women. For more about a fibroadenoma, Click Here |
