3D Mammography Services
Hawarden Regional Healthcare offers Genius™ 3D mammography – or Tomosynthesis – an advanced, state-of-art screening technology for early detection of breast cancer. The Genius 3D exam provides earlier breast cancer detection compared to the previous 2D alone.
We offer both screening and diagnostic mammography services as well as diagnostic ultrasound imaging of the breast.
SCREENING MAMMOGRAMS
Screening mammograms are used as a screening tool to detect early breast cancer in women experiencing no symptoms and allows specialists to look for breast changes that can be too small or too deep to feel. Mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers by showing changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Our family physicians and radiologists follow the current guidelines from the American Cancer Society. To schedule an appointment for a screening mammogram, call the radiology department at 712-551-3109.
Screening Mammogram Guidelines:
The American Cancer Society recommends these screening guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer for women with average risk:
Women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms (x-rays of the breast) if they wish to do so.
Women age 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every two years, or can continue yearly screening.
Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer.
All women should be familiar with the known benefits, limitations, and potential harms linked to breast cancer screening. They also should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast changes to a healthcare provider right away.
In some cases, breast density is detected through mammograms. For more information on breast density click here.
DIAGNOSTIC MAMMOGRAPHY
Diagnostic mammography is used to evaluate a patient with abnormal clinical findings – such as a breast lump – that have been found by the woman or her doctor. It may also be done after an abnormal screening mammography in order to determine the cause of the area of concern on the screening exam.