Why can’t I have an ultrasound?

Mammography is significantly more sensitive than ultrasound for the detection of early breast cancer. Ultrasound is utilized as a problem-solving tool, following an abnormal screening mammogram.

Will this break my implants?

There is a small risk of implant rupture with mammography. You will be given a form to sign which discusses this risk. Because the risk of breast cancer outweighs the risk of implant rupture most women choose to have the mammogram.

Why do I need compression?

Compression prevents motion which can degrade the mammograms similar to the way motion can ruin photographs. Compression also spreads out the breast tissue which aids in finding small breast cancers. There are other technical reasons, related to the physics of mammography machines, which require compression. Suffice it to say that compression is essential for acquiring high quality mammograms.

When will my doctor get the report?

Your doctor will usually have the official typed report within 3-4 days. If your mammogram has a significant finding, requiring further evaluation, you will be called by our office to schedule the necessary additional examinations.

How often do people get called back for extra views?

Any time there is a suspicious finding on a mammogram the patient is called back for further images. Almost always these suspicious findings are found not to be significant. Occasionally the findings will need to be worked up further with MRI or biopsy. If you receive a phone call saying you need further images and/or ultrasound, do not be alarmed; just make an appointment as soon as possible. The results of the additional images and the ultrasound will be discussed with you prior to leaving the office.

Why do you need my previous films?

Prior studies are immensely helpful when reading mammograms. Every woman has a unique breast tissue pattern as seen on a mammogram. Almost every mammogram has an area that catches the eye of the radiologist, but most of these areas are likely present on prior studies. We consider prior studies so important that we will often delay reading mammograms until the old studies are retrieved.

Is this the new machine?

At Atlantic Medical Imaging all of our machines are state-of-the-art and comply with the high standards established in the Mammography Quality Standard Act (MQSA).

How much radiation am I getting?

The radiation dose is small. Every effort is made to limit the amount of radiation exposure a patient receives. Our machines are checked yearly by our physicists.

How long have you been doing this?

Atlantic Medical Imaging has been providing quality imaging since 1964.

Why can’t I wear deodorant?

Deodorants can cause artifacts on the mammography film. These artifacts shows up as tiny white spots on the film, and can mimic suspicious calcifications. For this reason if a woman accidentally wears deodorant she may be asked to remove it prior to the study.

What is a calcification?

Calcium is found normally in bones, and in other areas of the body. Tiny deposits of calcium are commonly found in women?s breast and are called calcifications. Most calcifications are benign and can be safely ignored. Some calcifications are suspicious and will require a biopsy. Our radiologists are expert at identifying benign calcifications and at deciding which should be biopsied.

How long did you go to school for this?

At Atlantic Medical Imaging every radiologist that reads your mammogram is board-certified, and has years of experience in mammography. Our radiologists have trained at some of the most prestigious universities in the country. After training our radiologists are equipped with the skills to accurately read mammograms; however, we pride ourselves on continuously improving our skills through medical conferences and reading mammography literature.