Breast Care Services

Services

St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center offers the following services to help meet the unique health care needs of women in our community:

• Diagnostic and screening mammography, featuring the most advanced screening technology: Full-field digital mammography
• All screening mammograms are processed through a state-of-the-art computer-aided detection system (CAD) that provides a technological “second look” to assist radiologists in identifying areas on the mammogram that warrant another review.
• Clinical breast exams
• Breast self-exam education
• Breast care coordination services

Digital Mammography and Computer-aided Detection (CAD)

Every woman has a one in eight lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Treatments for this often deadly disease are becoming more effective and the survival rate is increasing, but prevention and early detection are still the best defense. St. Luke's is dedicated to stopping breast cancer, and our expanded breast cancer screening services and dedicated staff provide easy access to this important technology.

All St. Luke’s sites feature state-of-the-art full-field digital mammography. Digital mammography uses computers and specially designed digital detectors to produce an image that can be displayed on a high-resolution computer monitor, and transmitted and stored just like computer files. From a patient’s point of view, having a digital mammogram is very much like having a conventional screen-film mammogram. Unlike film-based mammography, digital mammograms produce images that appear on the technologist’s monitor in a matter of seconds.

Digital mammography greatly reduces the need for retakes due to over or under exposure. This can save additional time and reduce patient exposure to x-rays. Because they are electronic, digital mammography images can be transmitted quickly across a network. They can be easily stored, copied without any loss of information, and transmitted and received in a more streamlined manner, eliminating dependence on only one set of “original” films.

The radiologist can review electronic images of the breast using special high-resolution monitors. The physician can adjust the brightness, change contrast, and zoom in for close-ups of specific areas of interest. Being able to manipulate images is one of the main benefits of digital technology.

All mammography films from exams performed at St. Luke's are automatically processed by our computer-aided detection system (CAD) that assists radiologists by digitizing and analyzing a mammogram for suspicious areas that may indicate cancer. Studies have shown that this system helps detect up to 20 percent more breast cancers in their earliest, most treatable stage. CAD is just one more example of St. Luke's dedication to winning the battle against breast cancer.

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is a breast x-ray that can detect a tumor as small as the head of a pin. Our mammograms are performed by a certified mammography technologist using state-of-the-art digital equipment, which assures you the highest quality exam with the lowest radiation dose.

What is a clinical breast exam?

A clinical breast exam includes visual and palpable (touch) examination of your breasts and surrounding tissues. These exams are conducted by nurses specially trained in this area.

What is breast self-examination?

Performed on a monthly basis, breast self-examination is a way for a woman to thoroughly, systematically, check her breasts for signs of cancer, both visually and palpably (by touch). Breast self-exam provides women with the opportunity to be an active participant in their own breast health care.

Do I Need a Mammogram?

The American Cancer Society recommends that every woman should have a mammogram by the age of 40, and annually thereafter. Regular mammograms are one of the most important things a woman can do to protect her health. If you are over the age of 40, call St. Luke's today to schedule a mammogram and clinical breast exam. Don't delay – a mammogram could save your life.

How do I Schedule a Mammogram?

Call St. Luke's Women's Imaging Center at 933-4050.

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