Breast health

Mammograms and breast imaging in South Tampa

Having a mammogram or other breast imaging exam can be an anxiety-inducing experience for many women. Our experienced imaging technologists combine clinical expertise, personalized health education and a caring touch to help relieve your stress, while providing you with advanced breast health care.

To schedule a breast imaging appointment, please call our scheduling department at (866) 463-7202.

Advanced breast care services

Our nationally accredited Diagnostic Center offers advanced diagnostic imaging services and procedures—including 3D mammograms and breast biopsies. Using the results of these tests, we can identify any breast abnormalities and detect breast cancer at its earliest stages. Our Center is designed to provide you with a relaxing experience in a comfortable environment and offers:

• Easy, flexible scheduling—For our patients' convenience, we offer online scheduling, next day appointments and 30-minute screenings. For next day appointments, please call (866) 463-7202 to schedule.
• Nationally recognized program—We have received accreditation from the American College of Radiology for our mammography service.
• Convenient location—Our Diagnostic Center is conveniently located in the heart of South Tampa on the northeast corner of our campus with designated patient parking for our imaging patients.

Our diagnostic breast imaging and radiology procedures

We use one or a combination of exams to obtain images with pinpoint accuracy. The more precise the diagnosis, the more effective your treatment plan will be. Some modalities used at our Diagnostic Center are:

Mammograms

Mammography is the process of using low-energy X-rays to examine the human breast. Mammograms are used to find breast cancer in its early stages.

Digital mammograms

Digital mammograms use full field digital mammography to offer our patients the very best imaging experience. Digital mammography produces images that radiologists can manipulate on a hi-resolution computer monitor and the images are stored the same way as a computer file. The enhanced images allow doctors to more easily target areas of concern that may require more testing.

3D mammography delivers a series of high-resolution images of different layers of the breast. This technology provides screening accuracy and allows our doctors to examine your breast tissue layer by layer. Instead of viewing breast tissue in a flat image, as with conventional 2D mammography, fine details are more visible and no longer hidden by tissue. Benefits of digital mammography:

• Allows the radiologist to review your test on a computer screen
• High image quality with the ability to enhance and manipulate the image for further evaluation
• High-quality image makes it easier to differentiate cancer tissue from normal tissue
• Digital images are obtained with up to 60 percent less radiation exposure than film images
• Faster process means shorter mammogram exam time
• Digital images can be stored permanently with the ability to print on film
• Less chance of callbacks for additional testing

Guided breast biopsy: stereotactic, MRI and ultrasound

Our breast specialists use several minimally invasive technologies to guide biopsies of breast tissue to detect cancer if an abnormality is found. These guided biopsies enable physicians to precisely locate and target the cells for biopsy. Each technique uses a different technology to produce images:

• Stereotactic—uses special X-ray equipment to identify the precise location of an abnormality in the breast and retrieve a sample for testing from that area.
• MRI—uses a magnetic field image and radio waves to identify the precise location of a breast abnormality
• Ultrasound—uses high-frequency sound waves to screen for breast abnormalities

Bone density scans

Osteoporosis is a disease that depletes the minerals from our bones, making them brittle, weak and easy to break. Subtle changes in bone mineral density can be easily detected with a bone densitometry scan.

A bone densitometry scan is a safe, non-invasive diagnostic procedure. Low-dose X-rays are used to produce a computerized scan. The scan is quick, easy and painless. Your physician reviews the results of this diagnostic test to determine what steps, if any, are necessary to treat bone loss.

Breast cancer treatment can decrease levels of estrogen, which protects bones. This is why your risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures can increase after breast cancer treatment. Also, estrogen production decreases as women age. This causes brittle bones.

Frequently asked questions

The imaging staff at our hospital are happy to answer any and all of the questions you have. However, below we have outlined some of the most common questions we receive.

How should I prepare for a mammogram?

If you have had mammograms in different facilities, call those facilities in advance and arrange to have your previous mammograms, reports and any other treatment reports forwarded. Do not wear deodorant, powder or cream under your arms, as it may interfere with the quality of your mammogram.

What should I expect during my mammogram?

You will need to undress above the waist for this procedure. You will be given a wrap to wear during the mammogram. You and a breast imaging technologist will be the only ones present during the mammogram.

The technologist will position each breast, one at a time, on the mammography equipment. The breast will then be compressed, and the X-ray will be taken.

If you are having a screen-film mammogram, the technologist will take all of the X-rays needed for the examination. They will then develop the films before you leave, to make sure each film shows the right view and exposure. If you are having a digital mammogram, each X-ray will appear on the technologist's computer screen, and they will make sure each image shows the right view before positioning you for the next X-ray.

The entire procedure should take about 20 minutes.

Are mammograms painful?

Breast compression may cause some discomfort for a brief time during each X-ray Breast compression helps obtain better X-rays by:

• Flattening the breast so the maximum amount of tissue can be examined
• Allowing a lower X-ray dose to be used, since the X-ray beams pass through a thinner amount of tissue
• Holding the breast in place to prevent blurring caused by motion

If you have sensitive breasts, schedule your mammogram the week after your period, which is when breasts are less tender.