Mammogram
Mammogram
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast, to check for and diagnose breast disease. A mammogram is done as a screening test and may also be used if you are experiencing breast pain or other symptoms. It uses a low dose of radiation.
During a mammogram, your breasts are squeezed by the equipment for a few seconds, which may cause mild pain. This pressure keeps the radiation low and helps take the best picture of your breast.
What Conditions Does A Mammogram Show?
A mammogram can show the following conditions:
Calcifications are tiny mineral deposits in the breast tissue. There are 2 types of calcifications:
- Macrocalcifications — Larger calcium deposits that often mean worsening changes in the breast.
- Microcalcifications — Tiny (less than 1/50 of an inch) specks of calcium.
Masses may happen with or without calcifications. Masses may be caused by:
- A cyst — A noncancer (benign) collection of fluid in the breast
- Benign breast conditions
- Breast cancer
Who Should Get A Screening Mammogram?
Different health experts have different recommendations for people who have no symptoms of breast cancer:
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening mammograms every 2 years for women ages 40 through 74. This applies to people at average risk of breast cancer.
- The American Cancer Society recommends screening starting at 40 for those of average risk. Mammograms should be done every year for everyone ages 45 to 54. Then you may switch to mammograms every 2 years.
Talk with your healthcare provider to find out which screening guidelines are right for you.
To schedule Your mammogram, complete our
Important: Online appointments are for screenings only. We will contact you within 3-5 business days to schedule your appointment.
Upcoming Mammovan Locations
Find an upcoming Mobile Mammography Van location near you.
UR Medicine's Approach
UR Medicine Breast Imaging provides the things women want most in a breast imaging center. Our team includes some of the nation's top breast care experts. We offer the most advanced imaging technology in a calming, comfortable environment.
We offer the following types of mammograms:
- Screening mammograms — Used to find breast changes in people who have no signs of breast cancer.
- Diagnostic mammograms — Used to diagnose abnormal breast changes or to check any problems found on a screening mammogram.
- 3D mammography/tomosynthesis — A new method of screening for breast cancer that involves taking several X-rays of each breast from various angles to create a detailed 3D image.
Why Would I Need a 3D Mammogram?
3D mammography can benefit all women, as studies have shown that tomosynthesis finds invasive cancers at a 40% higher rate than regular mammograms.
It can also pinpoint hard to find cancers that may otherwise be unnoticed, particularly in areas of dense tissue. For this reason, your doctor is more likely to suggest a 3D mammogram if you have dense breast tissue.
What Happens During a 3D Mammogram?
Your breast is positioned between two plates, just like a regular mammogram. The upper plate lowers to gradually compress your breast. Then, an X-ray tube moves in a circular arc from one side of your breast to the other. While it moves around your breast, it takes images from many different angles. As soon as it finishes moving, the pressure is released from your breast.
What Sets Us Apart?
The UR Medicine Breast Imaging Center is designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology's (ACR) Commission on Quality and Safety and the Commission on Breast Imaging for a three-year term. The ACR Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation signifies that UR Medicine Breast Imaging provides these services to the Rochester and surrounding communities at the highest standards of the radiology profession.
UR Medicine offers access to the Mobile Mammography Van, also known as the Mammo Van, which travels across the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region. It offers convenient access to the same unparalleled care you can expect from UR Medicine Breast Imaging locations. This state-of-the-art mobile facility is wheelchair accessible, air conditioned, and equipped with the latest mammography technology—including a 3D Tomosynthesis Hologic Dimensions Unit.
We collaborate with breast specialists at UR Medicine's Wilmot Cancer Institute to ensure that all necessary treatments and support is available. And with so many convenient locations in Rochester and surrounding communities, it's easier than ever to get your mammogram.