Breast Imaging
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. LaFollette Medical Center provides helpful services to educate women on breast health, and encourage self-exams and routine screenings. The combination of caring technologists and imaging technology allows us to deliver quality care. LaFollette Medical Center uses imaging technology that can detect breast abnormalities at the earliest stages. Diagnostic techniques include:
- Digital mammography – Produces a sharp, clear computer image that provides more accurate screenings.
- Biopsy – When a lump or abnormal area is detected during screening, a biopsy can determine whether cells are cancerous. Imaging technology — such as MRI or mammography — can be combined with minimally invasive techniques to obtain tissue samples.
Mammography
Mammography is an X-ray exam of the breasts used to screen for or diagnose breast cancer. LaFollette Medical Center offers digital imaging technology for mammograms. With digital technology, radiologists can zoom in on particular areas or change brightness or contrast for even greater visibility, and results can be read immediately.
Digital mammography technology is equipped with special computer-aided detection (CAD) software. CAD acts as a radiologist's "second pair of eyes" when reading a mammogram. Similar to a spellchecker system on a personal computer, this technology has the potential to detect findings that might otherwise be overlooked during the review process, thus improving the opportunity for cancer detection. CAD technology is especially effective in identifying microcalcifications in the breast, some of which can indicate a malignant process.
Additional patient benefits:
- Better visibility of the breast, particularly near the skin line, the chest wall and in women with dense breast tissue.
- Compression speed of the paddle slows when coming into contact with the breast, providing better patient comfort.
- Consistent image quality for screening, diagnosis and interventional procedures.
- Ergonomic paddle shapes to the breast, optimizing the tissue for imaging.
- Exams can take less than half the time of traditional film-based mammograms.
- Narrow tube head allows for easy and relaxed patient positions during the exam.
Patients 40 and older can register for a screening mammogram without a physician order. A physician order is required for all diagnostic mammograms and for screening mammograms in patients under the age of 40.
To schedule your mammogram, please call (865) 545-7771 or toll free at 866-645-7771.
Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis. An order from a physician or qualified healthcare provider is required. All mammogram reports will be sent to the physician/provider, and the patient is responsible for follow-up. Check with your insurance provider to confirm coverage for a screening mammogram.