Mammography Services

Capital Regional Medical Center offers a wide variety of women's services including Mammography, Bone Densitometry and Stereotactic Breast Biopsy. 

The mammography suites at Capital Regional Medical Center are state-of-the-art and used solely for this procedure. The Mammography Suite has been in operation since 1988, is accredited by the American College of Radiology and certified as a Medicare Mammography Screening Facility. Our staff consists of registered technologists who are specially trained and certified in performing mammography and will conduct the procedure safely and efficiently. The interpreting physicians are Radiologists who are certified by the American Board of Radiology. They will review your study and compare it to any previous mammograms available. These physicians have special interest and training in mammography.

WHAT IS MAMMOGRAPHY?

Mammography is a low-dose X-ray procedure that creates an image of the breast. The X-ray image is called a mammogram.

Mammography is proven to be the most reliable imaging procedure available for detecting breast cancer. A mammogram may detect breast cancer before it can be found by other methods of diagnosis.

A mammogram can "see" breast cancer that can be as small as one millimeter in size and that would be impossible to detect through a regular physical examination. Often a cancer this small is very localized and has not spread into lymph nodes under the arm. It is estimated that breast cancer deaths would decline significantly if women had screening mammograms at recommended time intervals. The cure rate for breast cancer is over 90 percent when lesions are less than 0.5 cm in diameter.

WHO SHOULD HAVE A MAMMOGRAM?

The American Cancer Society recommends that all women between the ages of 35-39 have a baseline mammogram to be used as reference for future mammogram screenings. Women between the ages of 40-49 should have a mammogram every one to two years, even if no symptoms are present. Women over 50 should have a mammogram every year. Some women have a greater chance of developing breast cancer and may need checkups and mammography more frequently. Advancing age and a previous history of breast cancer are high risk factors. Other risk factors are a family history of breast cancer, never having children or having the first child after age 30, or being more than 40 pounds overweight.

Mammograms are essential for women who experience any signs or symptoms of breast cancer: lumps in the breast or under the arm, discharge from the nipple, thickening in the breast, puckering or dimpling of the breast and/or flaky or abnormal skin on the breast.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Peace of mind is one important benefit. If your mammogram shows no signs of cancer or abnormal tissue, your fears and worries associated with cancer or surgery will be lessened. Some breast cancers found during breast self-exams are not seen by mammography, especially in younger patients. Therefore, breast self-exams and routine clinical exams should still remain an integral part of breast cancer screening.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

As with all X-ray procedures, there is the risk of radiation exposure. However, the amount of radiation used in mammography is extremely low and considered to be safe. The risk of not having a mammogram is far greater than the risk of this very low-dose of radiation.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE?

When you and your physician agree to mammography, an appointment should be made with Tallahassee Community Hospital at a time that is convenient for you. The entire procedure will take approximately 30 minutes. You should make arrangements to have any previous mammograms sent, or you can bring them with you.

When you arrive at the hospital, you will check in at the admitting department in the hospital's main lobby. The mammography technologist will meet with you and take you to a suite for mammogram patients only. She will ask you for some pertinent medical history and answer any questions you may have. Immediately prior to the mammogram, she will recommend that you review a videotape of proper breast self-examination.

The mammography technologist will ask you to disrobe from the waist up. For your comfort, wear a two-piece outfit. Refrain from using deodorant prior to your mammogram because deodorants may cause confusing density on the study. You will have complete privacy during the procedure.

The X-ray procedure, which will take approximately 15 minutes, requires two phases of breast positioning, one from above and one from the side. Each breast will be compressed between two pieces of plastic. This will flatten the breast to make all areas easier to see through, spread out the tissue over a broader area and greatly reduce the radiation dose. There may be some discomfort from the compression, but it is rarely painful, and for the above reasons, very important.

After the mammogram, you will get dressed and exit the hospital through the main lobby. Unless otherwise instructed by your physician, results of the mammogram may be obtained by calling your physician's office. They are usually available within three working days.

A small percentage of patients are asked to return for additional films. Do not be alarmed. This does not indicate that cancer has been detected, the radiologist would simply like to see another projection.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and the second most common cause of death from cancer. Lung cancer is first. The early detection of breast cancer through mammography can help you prevent radical surgery and unnecessary grief. Mammography can save your life.

Capital Regional Medical Center provides a pleasant, personal and private atmosphere for your mammography procedure. Every effort will be made for your comfort and safety. For more information about mammography, contact your physician or Capital Regional Medical Center at (850)325-5391.