Mammograms
Peace of Mind With Digital Mammography from Huntsville Hospital
New digital mammography has arrived and is only available at the Breast Center at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children. With improved image quality and detail, digital mammography is the best assurance for detecting breast cancer as early as possible. And, early detection saves lives.
There’s also the extra peace of mind in knowing that your mammogram is interpreted by the area’s only physician who is fellowship-trained in breast radiology - Dr. Melanie Scott. Women’s lives are full - as mothers, daughters, wives, co-workers and volunteers - and those responsibilities often push away time from taking care of your health.
The all-female staff at the Breast Center encourages you to get your physical every year and if you are over 40,
make sure to get a digital mammogram. Why do we care so much? Because we are women… and we understand.
There are two different types of mammograms:
- Screening Mammograms
For women with no symptoms of breast cancer. Images from each breast are taken in a top to bottom bottom view and an angled side to side view.
- Diagnostic Mammograms
For women who have symptoms or have abnormal screening mammograms - Additional angles, magnified views and/or different paddles may be used depending on what the radiologist needs in your breast health.
Screening Recommendations:
At this time there is no way known to prevent breast cancer, so the best defense is early detection. The American Cancer Society recommends a three-part screening process that includes mammography, clinical breast exams and self-breast exams.
Below is the recommended schedule:
- Mammogram:
Yearly for women 40 and over
- Clinical breast exam (CBE):
Between the ages of 20 and 39, women should have a clinical
breast exam every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a
breast exam by a health professional every year. The CBE should
be done before or close to the mammogram.
- Breast self-examination (BSE):
All women aged 20 and over should do BSE every month.
Scheduling:
Screening mammograms can be scheduled by patients with a physician's referral or by a physician's office. Please call (256) 265-9999 if you wish to schedule your own annual screening mammogram.
Diagnostic exams need to be scheduled by a physician.
