Mammography

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women, with an estimated one in eight women expected to receive a diagnosis within her lifetime. Mammography remains the first line of defense by detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages, when treatments are likely more effective and the chances of survival are at their highest levels. 

What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray of the internal structures of the breast. The procedure involves firmly pressing the breast between 2 plates while an x-ray is taken. This method allows a more accurate and detailed image and uses the lowest amount of radiation possible.

A trained technologist will position your breast carefully under the paddle and take two views, one from the side and one from the top for a screening mammogram. Compression of the breast may be slightly uncomfortable, but should only last a few seconds.

In addition to a fully-digital mammography department, the Watson Clinic Women's Center now offers digital breast tomosynthesis, also known as 3D mammography. This technology snaps a series of sharp images around the circumference of the breast, and allows our breast-specific radiologists to reconstruct and superimpose the breast tissue images in 1 mm layers, effectively creating a 3D view of tissue structures. This technique enhances mammography findings, and reduces the necessity of callbacks for a false positive diagnosis, understandably accompanied by undue patient anxiety.

The new 3D mammogram technology - a first in this area - is available exclusively at the Women’s Center location on 1400 Lakeland Hills Boulevard in Lakeland, and compliments their existing digital mammography equipment at that facility. Watson Clinic also offers regular digital mammography services at their Lakeland Highlands and South Lakeland locations. Diagnostic mammography is performed at the Women's Center - Suite A, as well as stereotactic biopsy, U/S guided biopsy and needle localizations.

Screening Guidelines
The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older should have a mammography screening annually. While 76% of breast cancer incidents occur in women with no family history of disease, it is recommended that screenings begin ten years younger than the youngest primary relative with breast cancer was diagnosed. 

After the Mammogram
If breast cancer is detected and verified following a series of imaging procedures, the Breast Health team offers highly advanced technologies and treatments, the latest research initiatives and personalized one-on-one care. Other distinctive services that set the Women’s Center apart include:

• A board-certified breast surgeon who was touted as one of the first 50 surgeons in the country to receive a Mastery of Breast Surgery certification from the American Society of Breast Surgeons.
• Reconstructive plastic surgeons who work to return the breast to an acceptable shape and appearance following cancer removal.
• A staff of two certified breast navigators who work in-house to guide the patient through every step of the treatment process. An on-site social worker is also available for counseling and support. Additional support groups are also available.
• Affiliation with Center for Cancer Care & Research ----hematology, oncology, chemotherapy and radiation oncology departments for integrated, multidisciplinary cancer care and Moffitt Cancer Center affiliation.
• The expertise of fellowship-trained, breast-specific imaging specialists to read all mammograms.