Mammogram (3D Tomosynthesis Mammography)

Performed in the Comfortable Women's Imaging Center at Guilford Radiology near North Haven

Our North Haven Women’s Imaging Center offers women a private, comfortable setting to undergo comprehensive breast health and women’s imaging services.  We hope that you’ll find the space to be inviting and comforting and will help to make your time with us as relaxing as possible

About Your Mammogram near North Haven, CT

Early detection is crucial with breast cancer.  Mammography is the best available method of detecting breast changes that may be cancer, long before physical symptoms can be felt by you or your doctor.  The Women's Imaging Center at Guilford Radiology will provide you with the highest quality mammographic imaging care in a private office designed for your comfort.  Our Women's Center technologists are highly experienced and compassionate, and all of our Women's Imaging Center studies, including breast ultrasound and mammography, are fully accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

Guilford Radiology is excited to offer 3D Tomosynthesis Mammography near North Haven to all women getting a mammogram at our Women’s Center.  Breast tomosynthesis produces a three-dimensional view of the breast tissue that helps radiologists identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue.

Our Selenia® Dimensions® breast tomosynthesis system is manufactured and maintained by Hologic, a world leader in digital mammography. The Selenia Dimensions system offers exceptionally sharp breast images, an advanced ergonomic design providing more patient comfort, and the ground-breaking tomosynthesis platform designed to deliver superior screening and diagnostic performance for all breast types.

3D Mammography has been shown to be a better exam for all women and is especially valuable for women receiving a baseline screening, those who have dense breast tissue and women with a personal history of breast cancer.

Breast cancer screening with 3D Tomosynthesis Mammography has a 40% higher invasive cancer detection rate than conventional 2D mammography alone.   Since the 3D Tomosynthesis technology allows the Radiologist to better evaluate the breast tissue, there is a 30% decrease in the need to call patients back for additional mammographic views.

The North Haven 3D Mammography patient experience is similar to a traditional mammogram.  During a 3D exam, multiple, low-dose images of the breast are acquired at different angles.  These images are then used to produce a series of one-millimeter thick slices that can be viewed as a 3D reconstruction of the breast.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer.  Statistics indicate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s chance of survival. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent.

 

How to Prepare for Your North Haven Mammogram

There is no special prep for a mammography.  To help minimize discomfort during mammography, we ask patients to schedule their mammogram at least one week after their period (when breasts are less tender).

On the day of your examination, do not wear talcum powder, deodorant, lotion or perfume under your arms or on your breasts. These substances can cause artifacts on your mammogram making the images harder to interpret (aluminum flecks in some powders and deodorants can mimic microcalcifications on the x-ray image). Wear a two piece outfit so that you only have to remove your top and bra for the examination: a blouse which buttons in the front is optimal since it can be easily removed, while pullover tops are less convenient.  Any jewelry worn (especially earrings or necklaces) should be easily and quickly removable, especially if you will have a procedure which requires you to lie face down.

If you had a previous mammogram at Guilford Radiology, we have your studies saved for comparison, you do not need to bring anything with you.  If you had a mammogram at another facility, we will need a copy of the studies and the reports.  Please contact them to arrange to have these sent to us.  We may be able to contact your previous facility and get these electronically or we can call and request them to be sent to us.  We will work with you to get these.

Prior to your exam, you can complete a brief medical history, don’t worry if your cant complete this before you arrive, our technologists can also help you with this.

What to Expect

Our technologist will review a brief medical history, you can complete this prior to your visit or our technologists will complete this with you.

A 3D mammography exam is very similar to a traditional mammogram. Just as with a digital mammogram, the technologist will position you, compress your breast under a paddle and take images from different angles. A 3D mammography exam may be used as a screening tool in conjunction with a traditional digital mammogram or may be used by itself for a diagnostic mammogram.

During the 3D mammography part of the exam, the X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over the breast, taking multiple breast images in just seconds. Your doctor is then able to view your breast tissue in one millimeter layers. Instead of viewing all the complexities of your breast tissue in one flat image, the doctor can examine the tissue one page or "slice" at a time.

There is no additional compression required with 3D mammography, and it only takes a few seconds longer for each view. The technologist will view the images at their computer workstation to ensure they have captured adequate images for review by a radiologist. 

Mammograms typically take 15 to 30 depending on the exam performed.

Your Results

One of our Board Certified specialty trained Radiologists will read your study and report the results to either your physician or directly to you.

Our goal is to provide you with the highest level of customer service and image quality in a caring and supportive environment.

Mammogram - Quick Reference Guides

All our mammography quick reference guides can be found in our Patient Exam Information in our patient portal.

Click here if you are scheduled to undergo a mammogram and wish to complete your  Screening Questionnaire prior to your visit.

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about your procedure, feel free to call us at 203-453-5123 or contact us online.

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Hours:
M-F 7:30AM to 5PM
Sat. 8AM to Noon

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