Breast Imaging Center

Appointments

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Passionate and Technologically-Advanced Care

Lahey's Breast Imaging Center is committed to providing the most compassionate and technologically advanced care to all of our patients. Working closely with the specialists at Lahey's Comprehensive Breast Health Center, we make sure each patient is evaluated individually and that further breast care is customized to their needs and the findings on their breast studies.

We offer the latest in breast imaging, including 2-D and 3-D mammography, breast ultrasound and breast MRI, minimally invasive breast biopsies, treatments for benign and malignant breast disease, genetic counseling and risk assessment. In addition, Lahey patients will be offered the Cancer Risk Assessment (CRA) at the time of their screening mammogram — a tool to establish a patient's lifetime risk for developing breast cancer. Our patient-focused care assures each patient is treated with respect and compassion.

Breast cancer affects more than 200,000 women every year. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed female cancers, accounting for nearly one out of every three cancer diagnoses in the United States.

Importance of Annual Screening

Screening mammography is recommended annually for women age 40 and over. Screening annually has proven to decrease breast cancer mortality and allows for less aggressive treatment options by finding cancer earlier.

Following the annual appointment, Lahey will notify and provide information for women with dense breast tissue. Women with dense breast tissue, which is nearly 50 percent of women, may have an increased risk of developing cancer.

Lahey offers digital breast tomosynthesis, also known as 3D mammography. 3D mammography is a more sensitive mammogram which produces clearer and more accurate images of the breasts. Research on breast tomosynthesis has shown a significantly higher cancer detection rate in women with dense breast tissue over conventional 2D mammography.

Download our brochure on Breast Density and Breast Cancer Screening for more information.

Prior Mammogram Images

For your mammogram appointment, we will need any prior mammograms you may have had outside of Lahey Hospital & Medical Center. Please fill out the following form for your location and fax it to the number on the appropriate form if you would like us to request them for you. If you don't have access to a fax, our mailing addresses are on the forms.

3-D Mammography

3-D mammography (breast tomosynthesis), is a screening tool designed for early breast cancer detection. It can be used along with traditional 2-D mammography as a part of your annual screening to capture additional breast images. The technology also provides clearer images that allows doctors to examine breast tissue one layer at a time and find otherwise hidden cancers.

What Is the Difference Between 2-D and 3-D Mammography?

3-D mammography complements standard 2-D mammography and is performed with the same system.

With traditional 2-D mammography, the scan of your breast tissue is viewed in one flat image. Sometimes breast tissue can overlap, giving the illusion of normal breast tissue looking like an abnormal area, which could result in the need for additional testing.

With 3-D mammography the breast tissue is scanned in one millimeter slices, allowing the radiologist to view a clearer image of the breast tissue.

What Are the Benefits?

3-D mammography provides greater visibility of the breast details for the radiologist. This allows the radiologist to give a more confident reading, and help eliminate the need for additional appointments.

3-D mammography is also known to find cancers missed with conventional 2-D mammography.

What Should I Expect in My 3-D Mammography Exam?

Your 3-D mammogram will be performed at the same time as your 2-D mammogram. No additional compression is required, and it will only take a few seconds longer to properly capture each view.

During the 3-D part of the exam, the X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over your breast, taking multiple breast images.

The exam will take approximately 15 minutes.

Who Can Have a 3-D Mammography Exam?

3-D mammograms are approved for all women who are eligible for a standard mammogram.

Is There More Radiation Exposure?

Very low X-ray energy is used during the exam, and your radiation exposure will remain safely below the American College of Radiology (ACR) guidelines.

Where Can I Get a 3-D Mammogram?

We offer 3-D mammograms at Lahey Outpatient Center, Lexington, Lahey Medical Center, Peabody and Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington.