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Mammography

Mammography services offered in Lake Forest and Grayslake, IL

Mammography can find breast cancer very early, which means it could save your life. At Women’s Specialty Care SC, with offices in Grayslake and Lake Forest, Illinois, the experienced team headed by Karen Mass, MD, FACOG, and Leslie Rubeck, CNM, offers comprehensive women’s mammography services using the latest advanced technology. Schedule your mammogram online or call the office nearest to you to book your screening now.

Mammography Q & A

What is mammography?

Mammography is X-ray imaging of the breasts. It’s the most important screening test you can have to detect breast cancer in its early form. If the team detects an abnormal tissue during your mammogram, they can immediately take steps to identify it, and, if necessary, start treatment. 

Mammograms can save lives. In fact, in the 60-69 age group, women who have mammograms are 33% less likely to die of breast cancer.

 

What kind of technology does mammography involve?

At Women’s Specialty Care SC, the team uses a state-of-the-art 3D digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) mammography system, the Senographe Pristina™ with Dueta™. The system uses low-dose radiation and is proven clinically superior to 2D mammograms. 

Because Dueta lets you help control the level of breast compression yourself, it allows for a more comfortable and less stressful mammogram. In fact, 80% of women said that Dueta made their mammograms more comfortable. More than half of women said that this approach led to less anxiety about their mammograms.

At Women’s Specialty Care SC, a board-certified radiologist who specializes in mammography personally reads and reviews all mammograms to ensure accurate results. 

 

When might I need specialized mammography?

Mammograms are less sensitive in women with dense breasts (more fibrous tissue and less fatty tissue,) so it’s harder for the radiologist to identify cancer in the images. But, those women have a higher risk of breast cancer. 

So, if you have dense breasts you may need an add-on procedure called automated breast ultrasound (ABUS). In most cases, insurance covers ABUS alongside mammograms for women who need it. 

If you have dense breasts, combining your mammogram with ABUS allows for earlier detection of breast cancer and more effective treatment. 

 

When should I have my first mammogram?

If you have an average risk of breast cancer, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends starting mammography screening at age 40, and then continuing at one- to two-year year intervals after that. 

If you haven’t had a mammogram yet and you’re 50 or older, schedule your first mammogram promptly. Continue screening every one to two years until you turn 75 (or until the Women’s Specialty Care SC team recommends that you discontinue screening.) 

Women’s Specialty Care SC invests in the most advanced mammography equipment because they’re committed to patient wellness. To schedule your mammogram, call the office nearest to you or click on the online appointment feature now.