For the ninth consecutive year, Saint Agnes Breast Center services received a perfect score on state and federal inspections. These high marks are a testament to the centers' dedicated team of medical professionals.

Saint Agnes currently has two locations for mammography services:

The Breast Center at The Plaza – Medical Arts Building, 7202 N. Millbrook Ave., Suite 206, (559) 450-2662 provides screening mammography.

The Diagnostic Breast Center at Saint Agnes – Plaza Surgical Center, 1105 Spruce, Suite 102, (559) 450-7545 provides needle biopsies with high quality stereotactic and ultrasound equipment. Radiologists work hand-in-hand with Saint Agnes breast pathologists, providing expedient results.

Both centers provide a private, comfortable atmosphere for our patients. All testing is performed by licensed mammography technologists, and evaluated by specially trained radiologists. The Saint Agnes Breast Centers meet all federal and state regulations regarding performance of mammography and are fully accredited by the FDA.

What is a mammogram and why should I have one?

A mammogram is an X-ray that can reveal both harmless and cancerous growths. A mass can be discovered years before it can be felt. Finding a mass early increases a woman’s chance of surviving breast cancer and allows more treatment choices.

Your breast will be placed on a special supporting platform. Firm compression will help position the breast and reduce breast thickness, resulting in a clearer "picture" of the breast tissue as well as reducing radiation dose. Additional views of the breast (to better visualize the area of concern) may be needed. Spot compression and magnification views are intended to better define a possible mammographic abnormality. Other imaging modalities may also be used, such as ultrasonography.

More than 90 percent of breast cancers can be treated successfully if they are found early and have not spread beyond the breast.  

What is a screening mammogram?
A screening mammogram is a routine exam used to search for disease, such as cancer, in people without symptoms. Because the mammogram is a low-dose X-ray, the risk from radiation is very low.

Is mammography the only way to find breast cancer?
Mammography is the most advanced, effective, and accurate way to detect early breast cancer. However, about 10 percent of all breast cancers will not be identified by mammography alone, so monthly breast self-exams and regular clinical exams are recommended in addition to routine screening mammograms. All women should begin breast self-exams by age 20, have a baseline mammogram at age 35 and have a mammogram annually after age 40.

What are my chances of getting breast cancer?
One of eight American women will develop breast cancer. As you age, your chances of getting breast cancer actually increase every year.

Preparation
Before your mammogram, please wash thoroughly and avoid the use of deodorant, powder, perfumes or ointments on your underarm areas or breasts. Because you will be asked to undress from the waist up, it is advisable for you to wear a two-piece outfit. Try to schedule your mammogram following your period. This is when there will be the least tenderness. If you typically experience a lot of breast tenderness, reduce your caffeine consumption two weeks before your appointment.

Why would I need a diagnostic mammography exam instead of screening exam?
Diagnostic mammography is used to evaluate a patient with a specific breast problem or a questionable screening mammogram (mass, discharge from the nipple, skin changes, an abnormal or questionable screening mammogram, etc.) or a history of breast cancer. The diagnostic mammogram should be correlated with physical findings and symptoms. Allow 60 minutes for a diagnostic exam. It may require additional views of the breast to better visualize the area of concern. It may also include the use of other imaging modalities, such as ultrasonography.

Spot compression and magnification views are done to better define a possible mammographic abnormality. Spot compression is used to optimize compression over a local area of concern and to displace overlying tissues away from the area of concern. Magnification is used to improve the visibility of the margins of a mass or to better see and characterize microcalcifications. The examination may be slightly uncomfortable, but should not be painful.

Written communication between the ordering physician and the mammography facility is very important. The radiologist will be present to discuss the results with you. The radiologist may need to examine your breasts. If your prior mammograms were done at another facility, the radiologist will often need this for comparison. A final report may take longer if we need to obtain these films. If your prior mammogram was done at an outside facility, please tell the scheduler when you make your appoint.

How will I receive the results?
You will be given the results of your diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound at the conclusion of your examination. Your screening mammogram results will be mailed to you within two weeks.

Ultrasound
Breast ultrasound is an imaging method used to evaluate a specific abnormality detected on a mammogram, or a lump found by the patient or healthcare professional. Ultrasound is a complement to mammography, but does not replace the mammogram.

Invasive Procedures
A change in your breast, such as an abnormality detected by a mammogram or a lump found by you or your doctor, may or may not be cancerous. In order to determine whether the area of concern is malignant (cancerous) or benign (not cancerous), a physician must perform a biopsy.

A breast biopsy is the removal of a sample of breast tissue for examination and is the only definitive way to determine if an abnormality is cancerous or not. The majority of biopsies result in a benign diagnosis. However, if cancer is present, it is crucial to know the type and stage of the disease as early as possible. Through early detection and accurate diagnosis, more treatment options are available and a complete recovery is more likely.

Fine needle aspiration / Cyst aspiration
A thin needle is placed into the area with ultrasound guidance. Cells and/or fluid are removed. If analysis is needed, cells can be placed on slides and sent to the lab for analysis. The radiologist will call you with the results.  Results are usually available in 24 hours. Procedure time is 30 minutes.

Core Biopsy
A larger needle is placed into the area with ultrasound guidance. A tiny skin nick is made and small pieces of tissue are removed from the suspicious area. Core biopsy usually uses ultrasound or stereotactic guidance. The tissue is sent to the lab for diagnosis. The radiologist will call you when the results are available, usually within 24 hours. Procedure time is 60 minutes for an ultrsound biopsy and 90 minutes for a stereotactic biopsy. 

Galactogram or Ductogram
A small tube is introduced into the duct. Contrast dye is injected and mammography is performed. The radiologist is looking for an abnormality in the duct. Procedure time can vary, but is usually 60 miutes.  

Needle Localization
Using mammography or ultrasound guidance, a needle and a thin wire pinpoint the area(s) of concern. Your surgeon will remove the area with a surgical biopsy following the needle localization. This procedure is done when the suspicious area cannot be felt. Procedure time is about 60 minutes.

Stereotactic Core Biopsy / Mammotome Breast Biopsy
Core biopsy of the breast is done under mammographic (stereotactic) guidance. A small incision is made and tissue samples are collected and sent to the lab for analysis. A small surgical clip may be inserted, if needed. The radiologist will call you with the results, usually within 24 hours. Procedure time is 90 minutes.

Related Web Links

American Cancer Society

nabco.org

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation 

Lymphedema Management

WebMD  - Breast Cancer section

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization