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Mammography

Breast Cancer Screenings In Salida

Mammograms are one of the most effective tools available to diagnose breast cancer. While a mammogram cannot prevent cancer, it can spot early indicators of the disease, allowing doctors to start early treatment that will hopefully stop it from spreading. You should ask a doctor familiar with your medical history when and how often you should receive mammograms.

3-D Mammography

Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center is equipped with 3-D digital mammography, or tomosynthesis, which obtains highly detailed images of breast tissue. This mammography is capable of catching numerous warning signs of cancer. The radiation levels of both 2-D and 3-D mammograms are well below the exposure levels for imaging established by the American College of Radiology.

Tomosynthesis works by taking multiple X-rays of the breast to create a 3-D image. Regular mammograms, on the other hand, only produce a single image, limiting the physician’s ability to diagnose issues. Women with dense breast tissue may be unable to receive accurate results without a 3-D mammogram.

What A Mammogram Looks For

There are a few anomalies that occur in breast tissue that act as cancer warning signs. If you have had mammograms in the past, a doctor can perform a better diagnostic by comparing past results with new ones.

Doctors look for the following in a mammogram:

  • Calcifications - small mineral deposits in breast tissue. While large macrocalcifications (larger deposits) are fairly common in women over 50, microcalcifications are more alarming, but do not always indicate cancer.
  • Cysts -These small fluid-filled lumps are not cancerous, but can appear as lumps on the breasts much like tumors. Mammograms can help doctors determine if a lump is a tumor or cyst.
  • Tumors - While tumors are not always cancerous, it is important to have the lump examined by a doctor as soon as possible.
  • Breast density - Denser breasts have a higher risk of developing cancer than others. 3-D mammography has made it easier to examine these tissues and look for warning signs.

Mammograms are just one of the imaging tests performed at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center. If you would like to schedule an appointment or receive other tests, call (719) 530-2396.

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