About mammograms

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. Early detection is key to successful treatment — if found early, the 5-year survival rate is almost 100%. And mammograms are a crucial tool for early detection of breast cancer.

That's why annual mammograms are recommended for all women starting at age 40. Your doctor may recommend more frequent mammograms if you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors.

We offer 3D mammography, the gold standard of care, at all of our many imaging centers across the region. And we're certified as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology for providing superior accuracy, convenience and ease.

Here are some things to know about getting your annual mammogram:

• Your appointment. Before your mammogram, you'll remove all clothing and jewelry from the waist up. Then your technologist will help position you at the machine and take several X-ray images of each breast. Each image takes just a few seconds. You'll be able to get dressed and leave right after the test.
• Pressure, not pain. Your technologist uses compression to flatten your breasts for the images. This may cause some pressure or discomfort, but should not be painful. If you feel pain, tell the technologist right away.
• Your results. The images are sent to a radiologist for interpretation, and a report of the results goes to your doctor. Your doctor will discuss those results with you and recommend any necessary testing or treatment.

Schedule your mammogram