Comprehensive Breast Center

Breast Center Address:
2490 West 26th Avenue, Suite 10A, Denver, CO 80211

The physicians and staff at Advanced Medical Imaging are proud to introduce our breast center which opened in January 2006. Our facility employs the use of state-of-the-art equipment, including full field digital mammography and provides comprehensive breast imaging services. We strive to be sensitive to our patients and their needs while providing a high level of mammography expertise from our radiologists and staff.

Our full field digital mammography equipment offers improved visibility of the breast, especially in women with dense breast tissue. Unlike traditional film mammography, full field digital mammography images can be viewed within seconds by the technologist for technical adequacy so that the patient spends much less time getting her study done.

In our breast center, we provide comprehensive breast imaging services including mammography, ultrasound, MR and imaging guided biopsies (using stereotactic, ultrasound and MR guidance).

A recent patient wrote to us:
"I just wanted to say thank you for the excellent care I received recently. Not only were you highly professional, but you did all you could to make me as comfortable as possible under stressful circumstances. Your caring and compassionate touch meant so much."

Another patient recently wrote:
"Seeing the medical world from the patient's side is a rare experience for me. I'm a retired RN, and you made me proud of health care providers."

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Mammography Request & Consent for Outside Films

Please keep in mind that it usually takes 5-7 working days to receive your prior images from another facility. If you need your films quicker than that for your appointment, please make arrangements to pick them up or have the films overnighted to our facility. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Fax to 303-964-1408.

How does mammography work?
Mammography uses low dose radiation to look at the internal tissues of the breast. The goal of mammography is to find breast cancer before it can be felt.

Is mammography safe?
The benefits of mammography in patients over 40 years old far outweigh the small risk of radiation exposure. The risk of a single mammogram has been compared to risks encountered in everyday life and is about the same as driving 220 miles by car or smoking 1.5 cigarettes. The National Academy of Science has concluded that the "risk of breast cancer for women exposed to radiation at age 40 or older is negligible or nonexistent."

Who will perform my mammogram?
Our technologists are specially trained in mammography and registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Who will interpret my mammogram?
All examinations are interpreted by radiologists certified by the American Board of Radiology. Our breast imaging radiologists far exceed the requirements made by the FDA for radiologists to interpret mammography examinations.

Do you use computer assistance when interpreting mammograms?
At Advanced Medical Imaging, we have the R2 Computer Aided Detection System. This computer system analyzes mammograms by searching for findings that may represent breast cancer and then highlights those areas for the radiologist. Use of the R2 "could result in earlier detection of up to 23.4% of the cancers currently detected with screening mammography in those women who had a prior screening mammogram 9-24 months earlier."
(FDA approved claim)

Will it hurt?
Compression of the breast is key to achieving a high quality image. Some women will experience discomfort during the examination. You may choose to schedule your mammogram at a time when your breasts are less tender, usually after your menstrual cycle. This should help reduce discomfort associated with the exam.

How long will my mammogram take?
The time varies but most screening mammograms require approximately 15 minutes and diagnostic mammograms require 30 minutes.

Is there more than one type of mammogram?
There are two types - screening and diagnostic. A screening mammogram is done in women who are not having any breast problems. A diagnostic mammogram is for women who are having certain breast symptoms (including a lump or certain types of discharge), have had a lumpectomy for breast cancer in the past 10 years or have had special follow-up recommended from previous mammograms.

Can I schedule this without an order?
No order is needed for screening patients who are 40 or older and have a referring physician to receive the results. Those patients under 40 or needing a diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound do need to have an order from their physician.

When should I start thinking about having a mammogram?
The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.

What if I have had a mammogram at another facility?
If you are coming to Advanced Medical Imaging for the first time, we ask that you bring all pertinent information with you. This should include all old films with reports unless you have arranged for them to be sent beforehand. Having your old studies for comparison is very important as subtle changes may be the earliest findings of a breast cancer.