Mammography

Mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers because it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Current guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend screening mammography every year for women, beginning at age 40. Research has shown that annual mammograms lead to early detection of breast cancers, when they are most curable and breast-conservation therapies are available.

During mammography, a specially qualified radiologic technologist will position your breast in the mammography unit. Your breast will be placed on a special platform and compressed with a paddle (often made of clear Plexiglas or other plastic). 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 won't be obscured 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 eliminate blurring of the image caused by motion.
• Reduce x-ray scatter to increase sharpness of picture.
• The technologist will stand behind a glass shield during the x-ray exposure. You will be asked to change positions slightly between images. The routine views are a top-to-bottom view and an oblique side view. The process will be repeated for the other breast.

Our mammography department is accredited by the American College of Radiology (www.acr.org) and is an approved provider of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, providing free mammograms to women of low income families.The following is a list of mammography exams that are performed at Union Hopsital Clinton. Please click on the exam to get detailed information on the exam preps and length of exam.

Screening Mammogram

Diagnostic Mammogram

Needle localization

To schedule an exam or for more information, please call the Radiology Department at Union Hospital Clinton at (765) 832-1317. Most exams are scheduled Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 3:00pm. Some weekend appointments are available upon request.