Digital Mammography at Holy Cross HealthPlex
What Is Mammography - What Are Its Benefits?
Mammography is simply an X-ray that provides the sharpest images available of the breast's inner structure. The advanced screening capability of an X-ray - or mammogram - greatly improves survival of women because it detects much smaller tumors than those that can be felt by women themselves, or by the most experienced physicians. And because it can detect them before they have spread to other parts of the body. Mammography is also of value because it shows other changes in breast tissue, and the mammogram can be referred to later for comparison.
Where: Holy Cross HealthPlex, Jeane M. Dorini Women's Health and Resource Center
The Jeane M. Dorini Women's Health and Resource Center is located on the second floor of HealthPlex, inside the Imaging Department.
What Can I Expect During An Examination?
A mammography examination is a routine procedure, and will generally include the following:
- An interview to determine the reason for your visit and to prepare a brief file of your medical history.
- Removing your clothing from the waist up in exchange for an examination garment.
- Being positioned at the mammography unit, seated, standing or lying down.
- Positioning the breast with pressure applied to compress the tissue. (This can sometimes produce temporary discomfort.)
- Each breast may be X-rayed several times from above and from the side to produce the films for the physician to make a diagnosis.
What Should I do to Prepare?
No powder, perfume or deodorant on the breast or under arms before the examination. Patient should arrange for previous films to be made available for comparison if they were not done at Holy Cross Hospital or Holy Cross HealthPlex. Arrive for procedure 15 minutes prior to exam. Patient must bring a signed order for the procedure from their doctor and their insurance card/s. Please bring your referral if necessary. The patient completes a detailed history sheet in the Women’s Center.
