For More Information About Breast Imaging
For more information regarding Breast Imaging, please call us.
Schedule An Appointment
Hours
Monday – Friday:
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Closed Weekends and Holidays
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 7:00am - 5:00pm
- Tuesday: 7:00am - 5:00pm
- Wednesday: 7:00am - 5:00pm
- Thursday: 7:00am-8:00pm
- Friday: 7:00am - 5:00pm
Walk-In 3D mammography
Patients can walk-in without an appointment and have their screening.
Thursdays 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Sundays 8:00am - 12:00pm
Criteria to meet:
- Patients must have had their last mammogram screening at Heywood or Athol or present a outside image in hand (disc) when arriving..
- The patients last mammogram must be a year and a day out to be covered by insurance.
Full-Field Digital Mammography
Heywood Hospital is proud to offer 3D Full-Field Digital Mammography utilizing the Hologic Selenia 3D Digital Mammography System.
The Mayo Clinic has provided an explanation of 3D mammography. Click here to view.
Breast Imaging
Accredited by the American College of Radiology
Mammography is a specialized form of x-ray that is used to detect and monitor changes in the breast tissue. On the day that your exam in scheduled, you should avoid using lotions, creams, powders, perfumes, and anti-perspirant/deodorant products near your breasts (including the underarms), or plan to wash them off prior to the exam. These items may contain ingredients that could interfere with the exam. No other special preparation is necessary. When you arrive for your appointment, you will be given a hospital gown and asked to remove all clothing from the waist up. You will also be asked to remove any jewelry or metal that could interfere with the exam.Mammography
A registered technologist with special training in mammography will position you for each image. In a typical exam, two images are taken of each breast. The breast will be positioned between two plates. Just before each image is taken, the plates will compress the breast slightly. Although this is often uncomfortable, it should not be painful Compression is necessary to get a clear image of the breast tissue.
The actual imaging takes just a few seconds, but the whole procedure lasts 10-15 minutes. You will be asked to wait while the technologist checks your images. When the board-certified radiologist reviews your films, he or she may request that additional images be taken or that a sonogram be performed in order to fully evaluate your results. After the examination, the radiologist will prepare a written report for your doctor and a letter will be sent to you explaining your results.
Ultrasound-guided Core Biopsy
Ultrasound guided core biopsies of the breast are also offered. The patient lies on her back on the ultrasound table. A brief ultrasound is performed to localize the area of interest (nodule). The skin and breast tissues are then numbed with local anesthetic and a small incision is made in the skin, through which the biopsy needle is inserted. The small samples (cores) of tissue are obtained and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
With either type of biopsy, a marker may be placed at the biopsy site in the breast for future follow up. This does not affect breast tissue and cannot be felt in the breast. The marker will not cause a problem with other exams, such as MRI scans. A mammogram will sometimes be taken after a breast core biopsy, usually to check the position of the marker. Some patients will be asked to return for a follow up mammogram or breast ultrasound three to six months after the biopsy.