Breast Health Center at the Connection for Women
The Breast Health Center at the Connection for Women is the only center in the North Country accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. The Center dedicated to the special health needs of women, providing the utmost in privacy with certified staff
and prompt, friendly service. Open
Monday through Friday.
Services:
Bone Density Testing
This safe and comfortable test is a fast way to measure whether bones are
thinning and becoming less dense. We use the Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry
(DEXA) method to measure the density of the bones of your hips and spine. This
is the best of all methods. Measurements of the heel or the wrist can sometimes
be inaccurate. All women begin to lose bone density after menopause. If you have more than one
risk factor and you are over 50 years of age, screening for osteoporosis will
tell your doctor if you are losing calcium from your bones faster than the
average female. Low bone density can be detected long before osteoporosis
occurs.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a safe, painless procedure that uses sound waves to detect or
monitor many conditions. It is a key tool for care during pregnancy because
there is no radiation. It can also be used for diagnosing abdominal and pelvic
disorders, heart and blood vessel problems, and other conditions.
Mammography
Mammography is a safe effective way to detect breast cancer. Images of the
breast are taken with a special low dose X-ray machine that can detect lesions
even before they can be felt. We use a product called mammopads to make your
mammogram more comfortable. Foam pads are placed between your breast and the
mammogram machine and it does not interfere with the imaging process.
Screening Mammogram
They are used to find breast cancer in women who have no symptoms. With a
screening mammogram, a radiologist is not only looking for breast cancer
shadows, but also looking for cysts and solid lumps of normal breast cells.
Diagnostic Mammogram
They may be done as a problem-solving examination in patients who have abnormal
physical findings or an abnormal screening mammogram. Diagnostic mammograms may
also be used for patients with implants. Mammography detects about 2-3 times
more early breast cancers than a physical examination. It is the best method to
screen for the presence of a small undetectable lump or a group of abnormal
hard tissue, which may be the only sign of breast cancer. While the mammography
is the best screening exam available today, about 1 in 10 cancers will not be
identified until they can be felt as lumps. That is why breast self-examination
and regular exams by your healthcare provider remain integral components of
breast cancer detection.
(CAD) Computer-Aided Detection Mammogram
The CAD Computer-Aided Detection technology works like a second pair of eyes,
reviewing a mammogram film after the radiologist has already made an initial
interpretation. With CAD, the X-ray image taken in a mammogram is created into
a digital image, and the computer then scans the image and marks suspicious
looking areas that may not have been visible by the radiologist. Those areas
can then be studied in more detail by a radiologist who can decide if a biopsy
or further evaluation is needed.
What to expect at the time of
your mammogram
A screening mammogram usually consists of an X-ray of
each breast. During this procedure, each breast is placed on a platform in the
Mammography machine, then the breast is pressed firmly between two plates and
an X-ray is taken. This takes only a few minutes and will be performed by a
trained technologist. Some women say the compression is uncomfortable, but not
painful. Once completed, a radiologist will analyze the X-ray, looking for
specific abnormalities or changes related to cancer. The findings will be reported
to your healthcare provider who will, in turn, forward the results to you.
How to Prepare
To prepare for a mammogram, dress comfortably. A
two-piece outfit is usually the most convenient because you will need to
undress above the waist. You should not use any type of powders, deodorants,
ointments or creams prior to your exam because they can affect the quality of
the mammogram. If possible, you should not schedule your mammogram just before
or during your menstrual period, especially if you have breast pain at that
time. If you have breast implants, please inform the technologist before the
exam because a different procedure will be used. The complete screening
mammogram procedure takes about 20 minutes.
Guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer in average-risk women
consist of a combination of clinical breast examination and counseling to raise
awareness of breast symptoms beginning at age 20 years, and regular mammography
beginning at age 40 years. Between the ages of 20 and 39 years, women
should undergo a clinical breast exam every 3 years. Women over the age
of 40 should have a breast exam by a clinician, and a mammogram every year. If
there is a family history of breast cancer, baseline mammograms are recommended
for women 35-40 years of age.
Breast Health Center at the Connection for Women
Medical Office Building
3 Lyon Place, Suite 301
Ogdensburg, NY 13669
(315) 394-9663