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Mammography & Women's Services

Screening for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women, with 160,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the United States. More than 40,000 American women die from breast cancer each year.

Many women's lives can be saved if their cancers are caught and treated at an earlier, more curable stage. The only technique proven to reduce the number of deaths is routine mammography to screen women for breast cancer.

In most cases, mammography can detect cancer before the tumor has grown large enough to be felt during a physical examination. Studies have shown that routine screening with mammography reduces the breast cancer death rate by 30 percent to 50 percent (from 80 percent).

Our mammography program meets the highest standards. It is accredited by the American College of Radiology and meets all criteria established by the FDA in the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA). It is one of a few programs in the local area to offer computer-aided detection of breast cancer. Click to find out more about this cutting edge technique.

Screening Mammography & Computer-Aided Diagnosis (Detection)

A screening mammogram is one performed on a woman with no symptoms and no history of breast cancer. Many professional associations, including the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiology, recommend annual screening mammograms for women over the age of 40. Women with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors may be advised to have mammograms at an earlier age.

The screening mammogram is evaluated by our board-certified radiologists for any uncertain or suspicious findings. The screening mammogram may also be evaluated by an R2 Image Checker,* a computer-aided detection system which serves as a “second pair of eyes” looking for any suspicious findings. Most of the time, none are found and a letter confirming the normal study is sent to the woman.

(The R2 Image Checker is the first device of its kind to be approved by the FDA for use in detecting breast cancer by mammography. Suburban Radiologists was the first non-university practice in Illinois to offer computer-assisted mammography when an R2 Image Checker was installed at our Grant Square Imaging Center in 1996 as part of a federally funded project led by Dr. Kunio Doi of the University of Chicago. R2 Image Checkers were later also installed at LaGrange Memorial Hospital and DuPage Imaging Center.)

Diagnostic Mammography and Ultrasound

Sometimes, the woman will be asked to return for additional x-rays or for ultrasound (or both). This does not mean that cancer has been found, only that more images are needed to provide a complete evaluation of the breast. The additional images are called a diagnostic mammogram or diagnostic ultrasound exam.

A diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound examination can have one of several possible outcomes:

Most women who return for a diagnostic mammogram or diagnostic ultrasound are found to have a normal or a probably normal exam.

Breast Biopsy

If a suspicious area is found by mammography or ultrasound, a breast biopsy may be necessary to determine whether or not a cancer is present.

A breast biopsy is procedure to obtain a sample of breast tissue. It is usually performed by inserting a small needle into the breast to obtain a small tissue sample. There are several ways to perform the biopsy:

The first two methods, ultrasound and stereotactic biopsy, are performed by the radiologist using either ultrasound or x-ray for precise targeting of the biopsy. The last two methods are performed by a surgeon in the office or in the operating room.

The first three methods are all minimally-invasive, requiring only a local anesthetic to prevent pain and a small needle to obtain the tissue sample. Your doctor will discuss the most appropriate method for your situation.

We perform both ultrasound guided breast biopsy and stereotactic breast biopsy.

Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy

Ultrasound guided needle biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure that is appropriate when the suspicious area is best seen by ultrasound. The breast is numbed with a local anesthetic, and the radiologist guides the biopsy needle precisely to the suspicious area while watching under ultrasound.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

Stereotactic needle biopsy is a minimally invasive, state-of-the-art procedure that employs digital x-ray technology to pinpoint a suspicious area in the breast. The biopsy needle is guided by computer to precise coordinates within the breast, yielding high accuracy and safety.

Sterotactic needle biopsy avoids the discomfort, recovery time, and breast disfigurement or scarring that can be associated with conventional open surgical biopsy. The breast is numbed with a local anesthetic. The procedure does not require general anesthesia.

This mammographically guided needle biopsy machine is making surgical biopsy much less common.

Breast MRI

Breast MRI is an additional technique useful for detecting and characterizing breast cancers. It does not replace mammography or breast ultrasound. Generally, it is used as a problem solving tool when mammography and ultrasound cannot provide a complete breast evaluation.

To Schedule A Test

To schedule a mammogram, ultrasound, or biopsy, call (630) 856-7070. Mammography is available at Adventists Bolingbrook Medical Center, DuPage Imaging, Grant Square Imaging, and Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital.

Ultrasound is available at Adventist Hinsdale, Adventist La Grange Memorial, Adventist GlenOaks, Adventist Bolingbrook Medical Center, DuPage Imaging, and Grant Square Imaging.

* Available for studies performed at DuPage Imaging , Grant Square Imaging, and Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital.