Breast Care

Mammograms and Breast Exams at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center

Digital mammography is the most effective method of early detection in the fight against breast cancer. This technology offers women a number of benefits, including improved image quality, reduced procedure time and enhanced patient comfort.

Our breast care services include:

• Screening mammogram
• Diagnostic mammogram
• Expert digital mammography, including breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography)
• MRI
• Ultrasound Diagnostics
• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy
• Surgical biopsy
• Lumpectomy or partial mastectomy
• Simple mastectomy
• Oncoplastic and reconstructive surgery
• Skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomy
• Modified radical mastectomy
• Radical mastectomy
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy
• Axillary lymph node dissection
• High-risk management and screening
• Access to medical oncology physicians from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute who practice at St. Elizabeth's and radiation oncology physicians affiliated with UMass Memorial Medical Group
• Consultation and treatment with board-certified plastic surgeons, rehabilitation/physical therapy, and nutrition counseling
• Access to local, regional and national clinical trials
• Long-term follow up and coordination of care with your primary care physicians, local oncologist, and local hospital
• Educational programs and support groups, as well as additional resources for the latest information about breast cancer
• Palliative care and management of pain and complex symptoms

Flexible appointments are available, including evenings and Saturday hours. A physician referral for a screening mammogram is not required.

Mammograms

One out of eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. That's why breast exams are such an important aid in early detection, especially for women over 35. A mammography exam can detect a tumor long before you can feel it. Such early detection of breast cancer can save your life. It can also give you an opportunity to choose between treatment options.

Mammogram and breast examination guidelines:

• If you are between the ages of 20 and 40, you should perform a breast self-examination every month and have a breast examination by a physician every three years
• If you are between the ages of 30 and 35 and have a strong family history of breast cancer, you should have a mammogram
• If you are 35 or over, a baseline mammogram should be done for later comparison
• By age 40, you should do a breast self-examination every month, have a breast exam by a physician, and a mammogram every year
• After age 50, you should continue your breast self-examination every month, and have a physician breast exam and mammogram every year

Who's at risk for breast cancer?

Because breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, every woman should consider herself at risk. However, the following factors put you at higher risk for breast cancer:

• Over 50 years old
• Previous breast cancer or benign breast disease
• Family history of breast cancer (especially maternal)
• No full-term pregnancies
• First pregnancy after age 30
• Early menstruation (before age 13)
• Late menopause (after age 52)
• Diet high in fat
• Obesity

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Since most breast cancers are discovered by women themselves, it is important for you to know what to look for:

• A lump or thickening in the breast
• A change in breast shape
• Discharge from the nipple
• Skin changes (color, texture, consistency)
• Puckering or dimpling
• Nipple inversion (pulling inward)

Hear from Our Patients

When routine care turns into specialized care.

More than 52 years ago, Debbie A., of Arlington, Massachusetts, delivered all three of her children at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center and has been receiving routine care at the hospital ever since. Recently, this routine care changed for the 75-year-old after she was diagnosed with reoccurring breast cancer.

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