Who should get a mammogram?
Breast Screening Guidelines
Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health. Today's advanced technology, including ultrasound and breast MRI, enhance our ability to detect and treat breast cancer in its earliest stages.
Unique Screening and Diagnostic Capabilities
We offer a full spectrum of breast health services from screening mammograms using 3-D Tomosynthesis technology to leading edge techniques for both diagnosis and treatment. Our highly qualified breast health team includes board-certified physicians in radiology, surgery, pathology, and medical, surgical and radiation oncology, as well as a dedicated nurse practitioner and Certified Breast Patient Navigator, technologists and nurses.
We offer free breast cancer risk assessments to our patients that show your lifetime risk of developing breast cancer in comparison with the general population. Those at higher risk (greater than 20 percent) could be candidates for further imaging and genetic testing.
Because we are a dedicated Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR), our patients can take full advantage of advanced technologies, including 3-D mammography (Tomosynthesis) breast imaging and breast MRI in our new state-of-the-art Ambient Suite. This technology provides clearer images that allow doctors to examine breast tissue one layer at a time and find otherwise hidden cancers.
Guidelines for Early Breast Cancer Detection for Women of Average Risk
Mammogram: Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
Clinical Breast Exam: A clinical breast exam is recommended every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
Breast Awareness and Breast Self-Exam: Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any breast change promptly to their health care provider. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
Breast MRI: Some women. Because of their family history, a genetic tendency or certain other factors should be screened with MRI in addition to mammography. (The number of women who fall into this category is small: less than 2 percent of all women in the U.S.) Talk with your doctor about your history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age.
National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC)
The Lahey Outpatient Center, Danvers Breast Health Center was granted NAPBC accreditation-a distinction given only to those centers that voluntarily commit to providing the best possible care to patients. With the NAPBC accreditation, you can be assured that you will receive:
- A multidisciplinary, team approach to coordinate the best care and treatment options available for you.
- Access to breast cancer-related information, education and support. Ongoing monitoring and improvement of your care.
