faq - answers

Are all breast cancers found on mammography?
Mammography cannot detect all breast cancers, but it does find most breast cancers. The combination of a yearly screening mammogram, a yearly clinical breast exam performed by your health care provider, and a monthly self breast exam is recommended to increase the early detection of breast cancer.

What is the difference between a screening mammogram and a diagnostic mammogram?
Screening mammograms are performed on a yearly basis for patients with no signs or symptoms of breast cancer. If the radiologist sees any area of concern on the screening mammogram, we will contact you and request that you return to our facility for additional workup, which may include additional mammography images and/or breast ultrasound.

Diagnostic mammograms are performed when a patient has a clinical finding such as a breast lump or nipple discharge, or when we are following up on a previous mammographic finding, such as breast calcifications. The radiologist will review your diagnostic mammogram and discuss the findings with you.

Why can’t the radiologist tell me my results right in the clinic?
Screening mammograms are interpreted (read) by the radiologist in certain time blocks during the day. This allows the radiologist to be available for diagnostic mammography workups and interventional mammography procedures.

If you are having a diagnostic workup, the radiologist will review your films while you are in the office and will discuss the results with you before you leave.

Isn’t it harmful to be exposed to so much radiation every year?
It is felt that the potential benefit from annual screening mammography outweighs the radiation risk. The Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) requires that all mammogram units undergo an annual inspection by a qualified physicist to ensure that the equipment performing correctly.

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