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Mammograms

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Mammogram

Talk to Your Doctor About Mammograms

A mammogram is a screening test that can identify changes in the breast that may be early signs of cancer, but are too small or subtle to be felt. St. Luke’s supports these screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society:

  • Women with an average risk of breast cancer – most women – should begin yearly mammograms at age 45.
  • Women should be able to start the screening as early as age 40, if they want to. It’s a good idea to start talking to your health care provider at age 40 about when you should begin screening.
  • At age 55, women should have mammograms every other year — though women who want to keep having yearly mammograms should be able to do so.
  • Regular mammograms should continue for as long as a woman is in good health.
Some women are at higher risk for breast cancer and should begin screening earlier. The most important thing is that you talk to your doctor about the screening timeline that’s best for you.

Screening Mammography Locations

You’ll find a highly skilled team and a warm, caring atmosphere at each of our many conveniently located screening mammography sites across the region. Full-field digital mammography is available at all locations, and 3-D mammography is available everywhere except St. Luke's Elmore. 

Services are accredited by the American College of Radiology and provided by experienced technologists certified in mammography by the American Registry of Registered Technologists.

Schedule an appointment through your myChart account or by calling your preferred clinic.

3-D Mammography

St. Luke's offers 3-D mammography to improve the early detection of breast cancer.

Also known as breast tomosynthesis, 3-D mammography allows doctors to examine breast tissue in one millimeter layers. It is particularly appropriate for women over 40 with dense breast tissue and who are at high risk for breast cancer.

Your screening will include a traditional digital mammogram followed by the 3-D procedure. The 3-D mammogram takes about the same amount of time with the same low dosage of X-rays.

Please specify your preference for 3-D when you schedule your appointment.

Mobile Mammography Coach

No matter where you live, you still may be able to receive your mammogram close to home when our Mobile Mammography Coach rolls into town. The Mammo Coach travels to rural areas in southwest Idaho and eastern Oregon, providing over 2,000 mammograms every year. This broad geographic coverage relieves the time, burden, and cost of traveling long distances for care.

Accredited by the American College of Radiology, the Coach provides full-field digital mammography and is staffed by experienced, certified mammography technologists. Insurance is accepted.

Call (208) 706-2055 or toll free 1-866-381-2055 for upcoming dates and locations.

Financial Assistance for Mammograms

If you have limited income and are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for financial assistance to help with the costs of screening mammography or diagnostic studies of the breast. Every month, we provide financial assistance to approximately 50 qualified women through several grant programs.

Learn more about financial assistance for mammograms

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Learn more about Breast Care at St. Luke's