Are you overdue for your mammogram?
Ohio’s leader in breast health makes it safe, easy to get your mammogram.
There are a lot of questions and what-ifs when it comes to having a mammogram, but even in these uncertain times, your health should be a priority. For your empowerment, for your peace of mind, it’s important to schedule your mammogram.
Is it safe to come to Cleveland Clinic?
Cleveland Clinic has always been committed to delivering safe care. Now, in response to COVID-19, we’re taking unprecedented action to keep patients and caregivers safe in our facilities while fulfilling our mission to be the best place for care, whenever you need it.
“Many patients have been putting off important health screenings due to concerns over coronavirus. The virus is still a concern, but so are other health issues including cancer,” says Diane Radford, MD, a breast surgical oncologist and Director of the Breast Program at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital. “We have all the necessary safety measures in place to provide care, which is critical for your long-term health.”
When is it time to get a mammogram?
No matter your age, medical history or diagnosis, Cleveland Clinic — Ohio’s leader in breast health – offers personalized breast care from screening to treatment.
“Recommendations vary, so at Cleveland Clinic, we’ve reviewed current guidelines (some of which differ from one another) and have developed consensus guidelines for our patients. Our recommendation is that a woman should have the first option to start screening mammography beginning at age 40,” says Dr. Radford. “However, we encourage shared decision-making between women and their physicians. From the ages of 45-55, we recommend yearly screening for all women. Then, at the age of 55, each woman should have a conversation with her doctor about whether she should continue every year or go to an every-two-years screening schedule.”
Regardless of your age, if you’re experiencing breast symptoms such as pain or nipple discharge or have felt a lump, you should seek evaluation from your medical provider and diagnostic imaging should be scheduled as soon as possible.
Which screening is best for you?
We will make a recommendation on the screening that’s right for you. Mammography uses X-rays to detect different densities in the breast, including masses that may be tumors.
- For screening mammograms, the breast is compressed in two ways, from top to bottom and obliquely side to side. In some cases, overlapping tissue can cause the resulting image to look like cancer, or obscure small breast cancers. While most abnormalities in a mammogram are not breast cancer, they can lead to the need for further testing.
- 3D mammography, also called digital breast tomosynthesis, is similar to digital screening mammography in that the breast is compressed. However, with this advanced technology, X-rays pass through the breast at many different angles, creating a series of images. These images can reduce the degree of overlap and allow a radiologist to detect small breast cancers with fewer call-backs.
- Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide further detection of lesions, though not all lesions are cancerous. To avoid unnecessary biopsies, screening MRI is used only in high-risk cases in combination with screening mammography.
- Breast ultrasound allows radiologists to distinguish between solid and cystic breast masses. While very sensitive, ultrasound is not always very specific, so is used only in certain situations, and as an adjunct to mammography. In young women, ultrasound is the usual breast imaging of choice, rather than mammography.
“Given their combined sensitivity and specificity, screening mammography, and 3D mammography remain our best screening tools for breast cancer detection,” says Dr. Radford.
Many patients have been putting off important health screenings due to concerns over coronavirus. The virus is still a concern, but so are other health issues including cancer.
Diane Radford, MD
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What if it is breast cancer?
If cancer is found, Cleveland Clinic will assemble a team for your unique needs. The team might include nurses, social workers, radiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, psychologists, surgeons and plastic surgeons.
“Your unique treatment plan aims to eliminate the breast cancer and reduce the chance of it returning or traveling to a location outside of the breast. Treatment generally follows within a few weeks after the diagnosis,” says Raymond Isakov, MD, a plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reconstruction. Dr. Isakov treats patients at Cleveland Clinic Beachwood and Twinsburg family health centers and main campus.
Roy Miler, MD
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For empowerment. For peace of mind. For every care in the world. Walk in or schedule your mammogram today.
