The CMC Regional Breast Center offers a full range of screening and diagnostic services to serve your breast health needs.

Digital Mammography

Digital mammography services are provided at Cumberland Medical Center’s Regional Breast Center located at Cleveland Street and CMC’s Fairfield Glade location on Stonehenge Drive.  The equipment is state-of-the-art technology, certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  A digital mammogram is similar to a traditional mammogram; position and compression of the breast are the same. However, digital mammography takes an electronic image and stores the data directly onto a computer, eliminating the need for film.  This allows the data to be enhanced to increase the image quality, magnified to pinpoint specific areas, and/or manipulated for further evaluation.  Advanced software called CAD (computer-aided detection) is utilized to search digitized images for abnormal areas of density, mass, or thickening.  Studies indicate that digital mammography is more accurate and especially recommended for women under the age of 50 (pre-menopausal) and those with dense breast tissue.

Mammography Screening and Diagnostic

American Cancer Society Mammography Guidelines recommend that women 40 and older have a screening mammogram every year.  Women who have a first degree relative (mother or sister) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer before menopause begin screening ten (10) years prior to the age at which their relative was diagnosed but not earlier than age 25.  Example, if a woman’s mother was diagnosed at 47, she should start yearly screening at 37.

Screening

Screening mammography is performed on women who are asymptomatic (no sign or symptoms) for breast cancer.  A screening mammogram usually consists of two views of each breast.  It will take approximately 45 minutes including registration and time in the dressing room.  The result is usually available to the patient’s physician within one to two days.  The patient receives written results from the radiologist usually within a few days unless there is a delay (such as awaiting prior mammograms to arrive from another location for comparison).  Comparison mammograms are vitally important in achieving the most accurate reading.

Diagnostic

Diagnostic mammography is performed under the direct supervision of the interpreting radiologist (physician).  A diagnostic mammogram is done when a woman has a lump or abnormal results from a screening mammogram.  Diagnostic mammography requires a written order by a referring physician.  Diagnostic results are given to the patient the day of the exam by the radiologist.  Other testing, such as ultrasound or biopsy, may be necessary to diagnose an abnormality.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is most frequently performed in combination with mammography.  Its primary function is characterization of lumps as either solid or fluid filled (cysts). Ultrasound is not a substitute for mammography but is advantageous in evaluating abnormalities in dense breasts.

Key Facts

All digital mammograms are read by Board Certified Radiologists.
Fully digital breast screening and advanced diagnostic imaging services are available.
Full-field digital mammography and CAD are provided.
Breast ultrasound is available, if needed.
CMC’s program is accredited by the American College of Radiology.
The radiologist will determine if additional information from ultrasound, MRI, or biopsy is necessary for diagnosis.
CMC’s nurse navigator (Patient Navigation Certified RN) will be involved with all patients who need diagnostic testing and will assist with coordination of services throughout the various levels of care potentially needed.  The navigator follows the patient for up to five (5) years.
CMC, in conjunction with the Susan G. Komen grant program, provides approximately 150 free mammograms per year, in addition to providing educational materials and other services.

For questions or general information regarding CMC’s Regional Breast Center, call 931-459-7323 or 931-459-7370.     To schedule a mammogram call 931-459-7040 or 931-459-7041.

Additional information and resources are available at www.cmchealthcare.org.