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Women’s Imaging

Committed to Women's Health

Early detection can be your best bet at fighting breast cancer. Our breast health services feature the most advanced technology in mammography and breast imaging to help detect abnormalities long before you or your doctor could notice them. In fact, all of BCH’s mammography locations have received the prestigious designation of being a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.

Breast Imaging Services

Staying on top of your screening mammograms is key to detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages. We offer:

  • Digital mammography: Creates incredibly accurate and vivid images of breast tissue. Compared to traditional film-based mammography, digital mammography uses less radiation and allows our radiologists to manipulate high-resolution digital images so abnormalities can more easily be seen.

  • 3D mammography (tomosynthesis): This is a newer type of imaging technology that creates a highly detailed, 3D composite picture of the breast, allowing radiologists to view several layers of breast tissue from various angles. This type of mammogram makes it easier to detect small cancer tumors in moderately dense or very dense breast tissue. It’s also beneficial for patients with an increased risk for or personal history of breast cancer.

Screening Recommendations

Most women should have annual screening mammograms beginning at age 40, according to current American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) guidelines. Doctors may recommend starting mammograms before age 40 if you have a strong family history of breast cancer.

BCH recommends that women have regular screening mammograms annually starting at age 40, along with monthly self-examinations and annual physical checkups that include a clinical breast exam. Three-quarters of women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history and are not considered high risk.

  • Age 40 to 74: Start screening with mammogram annually.
  • Age 75 and Over: Speak with your doctor about whether you should continue with mammograms.

What’s New? American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging now recommend that ALL women should be evaluated for breast cancer risk no later than age 30. Have your physician review your personal and family history and complete a risk assessment.

If you are considered high risk for breast cancer
Women who are high risk for breast cancer should get a breast MRI and a mammogram annually, typically starting 10 years prior to earliest breast cancer diagnosis in the family. Factors that make you high risk for breast cancer include:

  • A lifetime risk of breast cancer of about 20% or greater, according to risk assessment tools that are based mainly on family history
  • A known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation or other genetic predisposition for breast cancer
  • A first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, but only if you have not already had any genetic testing
  • Previous radiation therapy to the chest when you were between the age of 10 and 30 years

Work with your health care provider to calculate your lifetime breast cancer risk using a risk assessment tool such as the Gail Model or Tyrer-Cuzick Model.

Schedule a Mammography Appointment

For your convenience, BCH offers both screening and diagnostic breast imaging at three locations:

To schedule an appointment, please call 303-415-5170 or log into my.bch.org

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