312 Custer
Ness City, KS 67560
785-798-2291
Mobile Mammography Services
A mammogram is a safe, low dose x-ray of the breast. It is the best method for early detection of breast cancer. Mammograms can detect breast cancer long before symptoms appear.
NCH is partnered with United Radiology to provide our patients with digital mammography. This technology also uses CAD (computer added detection) to help the radiologist.
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Self-referrals are accepted for screening purposes only.
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On the day of your mammogram, avoid using deodorant or body powders, which may impair the quality of your exam.
Patients must alert the technologist if they may be pregnant!
How to Prepare
During mammography, a registered mammographer will position your breast in the mammography unit. Your breast will be placed on a special platform and compressed with a paddle (often made of clear Plexiglas or other plastic). The technologist will gradually compress your breast.
Breast compression is necessary in order to:
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Even out the breast thickness so that all of the tissue can be visualized.
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Spread out the tissue so that small abnormalities are less likely to be obscured by overlying breast tissue.
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Allow the use of a lower x-ray dose since a thinner amount of breast tissue is being imaged.
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Hold the breast still in order to minimize blurring of the image caused by motion.
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Reduce x-ray scatter to increase sharpness of picture.
You will be asked to change positions between images. The routine views are a top-to-bottom view and an angled side view. The process will be repeated for the other breast.
You must hold very still and may be asked to keep from breathing for a few seconds while the x-ray picture is taken to reduce the possibility of a blurred image. The technologist will walk behind a wall or into the next room to activate the x-ray machine.
Before scheduling a mammogram, the American Cancer Society (ACS) and other specialty organizations recommend that you discuss any new findings or problems in your breasts with your doctor. In addition, inform your doctor of any prior surgeries, hormone use, and family or personal history of breast cancer.
The ACS also recommends you:
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Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the exam. These can appear on the mammogram as calcium spots.
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Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the exam.
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If possible, obtain prior mammograms and make them available to the radiologist at the time of the current exam.
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Ask when your results will be available; do not assume the results are normal if you do not hear from your doctor or the mammography facility.
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is a form of medical imaging that uses very small amounts of ionizing radiation to measure bone mineral density and determine an individual’s risk for bone fractures or establish the diagnosis of osteoporosis. The amount of radiation used is less than one-tenth the dose of a traditional chest X-ray and less than one day’s exposure to natural radiation.
How to Prepare
You may be required to change into a gown, remove jewelry, glasses or other objects that may interfere with the images.
Patients must alert the technologist if you may be pregnant!
