Advanced Treatment & Technology

The Community Memorial Breast Center is equipped with top-of-the-line imaging technologies that can detect tiny tumors before they have a chance to spread.

Tomosynthesis Mammography

We use digital tomosynthesis for all our annual screenings, the latest breast imaging technology approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This 3-D mammography technology uses X-rays to take multiple images of the breast at different angles. The images are then divided into thin slices, allowing the radiologist to see through overlapping structures. Tomosynthesis is the most sensitive type of mammography, resulting in:

• Better and earlier detection
• Reduced need for callbacks and additional imaging
• Clearer imaging of dense breasts
• Fewer biopsies
• Enhanced ability to detect very small cancers

Breast Ultrasound

Ultrasound is an imaging test that sends high-frequency sound waves through a part of the body and converts them into images on a viewing screen. This technology is used as a follow up to other screening tests if something worrisome shows up on your mammogram or during your physical exam. Ultrasound is the best way to determine whether a suspicious area is solid (such as cancer or a common benign growth called a fibroadenoma) or fluid-filled (such as a benign cyst). Ultrasound cannot detect calcifications or determine whether a solid lump is cancerous.

40% of women have dense breasts, which make small growths difficult to detect. For these women, our medical technicians supplement conventional mammography with the Invenia Automatic Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS).

If you have localized breast pain or a palpable lump, our technicians may use a hand-held diagnostic ultrasound.

Breast MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, uses magnets and radio waves to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the inside of the body. MRI does not use X-rays, so it does not involve any radiation exposure. Breast MRI is used when there is need for additional testing:

• Supplemental screening for women with a high risk for breast cancer due to a personal or family history of breast cancer and/or genetics
• Gathering more information about a suspicious area identified during a mammogram or ultrasound
• Determining the size and location of an existing breast cancer
• Checking for silicone implant leaks
• Monitoring for recurrence after treatment

Breast Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure to remove a small piece of tissue from the body for examination under the microscope. In the case of a breast biopsy, tissue may be removed with a special biopsy needle. The tissue is then sent to the lab where it will be examined for the presence of cancer or other abnormalities. We understand how stressful it can be to await the results of your breast biopsy. It’s important to understand that most biopsy results are not cancer.

DEXA Bone Density

Bone density refers to the amount of minerals ― especially calcium ― in your bones. Many women lose bone density after menopause, which can lead to weaker than normal bones (osteopenia) and potentially, osteoporosis, in which the bones are brittle and break easily. Bone density tests use X-rays or sound waves to measure bone strength and diagnose bone loss and osteoporosis. A DEXA scan or other osteoporosis screening is recommended for all women 65 and older. Doctors also recommend a DEXA for women who:

• Are 50 or older and post-menopausal
• Are underweight
• Smoke
• Are losing height and have developed a hunched posture
• Have sudden back pain with no apparent cause
• Are older than 45 and break a bone
• Have certain chronic illnesses