TriHealth offers comprehensive breast imaging services with 10 imaging centers located throughout Greater Cincinnati and through the TriHealth Mobile Mammography van.
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray of the breast. Mammograms can detect changes in breast tissue that are too small to feel during a self-exam or during a clinical breast exam by your healthcare provider. Radiologists review images using digital AI technology to identify changes in breast tissue that could warrant further examination.
Mammograms cannot diagnose cancer, but they can help detect changes that could indicate cancer, and they can be used to investigate breast symptoms.
There are two main types of mammograms:
Recommended annually for women 40+ of average risk who are NOT experiencing any new breast symptoms. The goal is to detect cancer when it’s small and treatment may be less invasive. If a woman has a family history of breast cancer, annual screening mammograms may begin earlier than age 40.
Screening mammograms are performed at all breast imaging locations, including the mobile mammography van and can be scheduled directly without a physician’s order. Our locations use 3D technology, also known as breast tomosynthesis, as our standard.
Recommended for women or men experiencing a new breast symptom, including a lump, breast pain, change in skin texture, nipple thickening or discharge from the nipple. Diagnostic mammograms include onsite reading of the mammogram by the radiologist and possibly supplemental imaging such as breast ultrasound.
While many breast symptoms are diagnosed as benign breast disease, all symptoms should be discussed with your physician to rule out a possible cancer diagnosis.
Diagnostic mammograms must include an order by the patient’s health care provider, so calling your provider’s office for a consultation is the first step if you detect a breast symptom.
2D mammography involves taking pictures of each breast from top to bottom and side to side. 3D mammography, also known as tomosynthesis, is the latest technology that allows the x-ray to move in an arc over your breast, so that your healthcare provider can see your breast tissue in 3D. All TriHealth locations use 3D technology, also known as breast tomosynthesis, as our standard
Benefits of 3D mammogram:
Ohio legislation mandates that all insurance companies cover 100% of the cost of annual 3D screening mammograms. For women (Ohio residents) who are uninsured, grants are available through the Ohio Department of Health Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP).
At TriHealth, we follow the American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging guidelines to begin annual screening mammography at age 40 for women at average risk for breast cancer.
If you have a higher risk of developing breast cancer during your lifetime, you may need to begin screening mammograms before age 40. Your provider may also recommend supplemental screening such as breast ultrasound or breast MRI.
Your healthcare provider can perform a breast cancer risk assessment to determine if you are at a higher risk. If you have any of the following risk factors, you should talk to your provider about when to begin screening mammography:
Men who experience breast symptoms should contact their healthcare provider for evaluation and a diagnostic mammogram order.
During your mammogram, you will stand in front of the mammography machine and the technologist will ask you to remove one breast at a time from your gown. The technologist will help you position your breast on the imaging detector. The technologist will then lower a plastic paddle to compress your breast. The machine will take images of your breasts.
If your imaging results are normal, MyChart users will be notified via email that test results are available. If you don’t access your MyChart results or you do not have a MyChart account, you will be notified via mail within the next 30 days.
If your imaging results are abnormal, you will be personally contacted by a member of our breast care team via phone within 24-48 hours to schedule further imaging or assessment.
To create a new MyChart account or to sign-in to an existing account, visit www.TriHealth.com/MyChart
Between 8 to 12% of screening mammograms identify something that may need further attention. Further evaluation may include:
Most abnormal findings from a mammogram are found either to be normal breast tissue or benign (noncancerous) tissue.
Something that needs further attention might be called a mass, focal asymmetry, asymmetry, architectural distortion or calcification.
Abnormalities can present as: