Mammography

Health Begins Here. Voyage Healthcare's state-of-the-art digital mammography is offered at our Center for Women's Health office. It is fully accredited by the American College of Radiology, the FDA and the State of Minnesota. Inspections of our mammography department are performed every year and Voyage Healthcare prides itself in our excellent performance.

Mammography is the most important tool in the early detection of breast cancer. A mammogram is an x-ray exam of the breast and is performed to detect and identify abnormalities of the breast that appear in the form of breast lumps, calcifications, fluid-filled cysts and cancer. All of our mammograms are read by a group of board certified radiologists.

• Walk-ins welcome!
• Mammography services available for both new and established patients.
• You do not need to be a Voyage Healthcare patient to have you mammogram done at our Center For Women’s Health.

Who should have a mammogram?

Mammogram screening is recommended for all women every 1-2 years starting at age 40-50 years. Your primary care provider may recommend a mammogram sooner or more frequently if you have significant breast symptoms or if you have been determined to be at high risk for breast cancer.

If I perform self-breast examinations, do I still need a mammogram?

It is recommended that all women perform monthly self-breast examinations. A clinical breast examination performed by your primary care provider is recommended every year. Because not all abnormalities can be detected by manual examinations, it is recommended that mammograms be performed according to the schedule outlined above under "Who should have a mammogram?" Information and instructions on self-breast examinations are available from you provider.

How do I schedule a mammogram?

We now offer online scheduling for mammograms! If you prefer, you may still call us at (763) 587-7999 to schedule your appointment.

Please ensure you know your insurance guidelines for mammogram intervals. Most insurances allow only one mammogram per calendar year. Medicare patients must allow at least a full 12 month interval between mammograms. You will be asked if you have a history of prior breast surgery or if you have breast implants as breast implants require additional time allotted for the mammography.

We ask that you be punctual for you appointment as appointments are scheduled every 15 minutes. You will need to wait for another available opening if you miss your time.

How should I prepare for the mammogram?

Before scheduling a mammogram, the American Cancer Society (ACS) and other specialty organizations recommend that you discuss any new findings or problems in your breasts with your doctor. In addition, inform your doctor of any prior surgeries, hormone use, and family or personal history of breast cancer.

Do not schedule your mammogram for the week before your menstrual period if your breasts are usually tender during this time. The best time for a mammogram is one week following your period. Always inform your doctor or x-ray tech if there is any possibility that you are pregnant.

Voyage Healthcare recommends you:

• Do not wear any deodorants, antiperspirants, powders, creams or lotions to your underarm or breast areas prior to the examination. These items may contain material could be mistaken for abnormalities on your x-rays.
• Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the exam.
• Wear a blouse or sweater since you will be asked to undress from the waist up.

How does the procedure work?

You will be asked to undress from the waist up and will be given an x-ray gown to wear during the procedure. During mammography, a qualified radiologic technologist will position your breast in the mammography unit. Your breast will be placed on a special platform and compressed with a plastic paddle. The technologist will gradually compress your breast.

Breast compression is necessary in order to:

• Even out the breast thickness so that all of the tissue can be visualized.
• Spread out the tissue so that small abnormalities are less likely to be hidden by overlying breast tissue.
• Allow the use of a lower x-ray dose since a thinner amount of breast tissue is being imaged.
• Hold the breast still in order to minimize blurring of the image caused by motion.
• Reduce x-ray scatter to increase sharpness of picture.

Each breast will be x-rayed individually and will be exposed only during the actual x-ray time. Views will be taken from the top and from the side of the breast. If you have found previous mammograms bothersome or extremely painful, you may wish to take buffered aspirin, Tylenol or Advil (provided you are not allergic to or have restrictions to any of these medications). You may take these one to two hours prior to your mammogram. 

How do I get my results?

A radiologist, a doctor trained to supervise and interpret radiology examinations, will analyze the images. You will received the results within one week via mail. The radiologist will also send a copy of your results to your primary care provider. Your mammogram films will be read or interpreted by a board certified radiologist. You will receive the results within one week via mail.  

Occasionally, additional views are required. Sometimes a follow-up exam further evaluates a potential issue with more views or a special imaging technique. It may also see if there has been any change in an issue over time. Follow-up exams are often the best way to see if treatment is working or if a problem needs attention. North Memorial Health Breast Center will call and ask you to return for these additional views if they are requested. These additional views are done at North Memorial Health Breast Center (formerly Hope Chest Breast Center) or Breast Center of Maple Grove. You will receive the results at the time of that appointment. If you are called back for additional views, please allow extra time, as these views usually take up to 45 minutes to complete. If you are called back, do not worry. In many cases, no further procedures are needed beyond these additional views.