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MammographyWhat is a Mammogram?
A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast used to detect and diagnose breast disease. Although mammograms cannot prevent breast cancer, they can save lives by detecting the disease as early as possible. Mammograms have been shown to lower the chance of dying from breast cancer by 35% in women over the age of 50, and by 25-35% for women between 40 and 50.
Recommended Guidelines
Currently, the American Cancer Society recommends:
- Yearly mammograms starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
- Clinical breast exams (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam, about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
- Women should report any breast change promptly to their health care providers.
- Women at increased risk (e.g., family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests (e.g., breast ultrasound or MRI), or having more frequent exams.
Services and Hours
- Routine mammograms are requested by your physician. Our normal hours for mammograms are 7:30 am - 8 pm, Monday through Friday. If your mammogram is in any way inconclusive, your physician may order a follow-up Ultra Sounds exam on your breast. This does not mean that you are suspected to have cancer. It just means a more precise test is needed.
- CVMC is certified as a Softer Mammogram Provider, a distinction awarded only to an elite group of health care facilities. That means we provide a soft foam cushion, called MammoPad®, for each woman's personal use during every screening mammogram, to ensure your mammogram is warm and comfortable.
What You Need to Know Before Your Exam:
- Do not wear perfume, deodorant or powder to the hospital at the time of your mammogram
- Arrive at Patient Registration at least 20 minutes prior to your exam time
- If you are not called in for your exam within 15 minutes of your scheduled appointment, please alert the receptionist.
Accreditation
CVMC's Mammography Department is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and by the Food & Drug Administration's (FDA) Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA).
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