Regular screenings can help detect breast cancer earlier when it’s easier to treat.
Though many women start receiving mammograms at age 40, your screening plan may look different depending on your age, family history and genetics. Your primary care provider can help you understand your breast health and risk factors.
Call (866) 520-2510 Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Becoming familiar with how your breasts look and feel can help you recognize changes and detect cancer. You should tell your primary care provider about anything new or unusual, like lumps, dimpling, discharge or redness.
Your primary care provider or another healthcare professional can perform a breast exam at your annual visit. They will feel for lumps and look for changes.
A 2D or 3D mammogram is the most effective tool for early detection of breast cancer. Marshfield Clinic offers both. Mammograms use a low dose of radiation and imaging technology to identify cancer.
And because offering the care you need where you need it is important to us, we provide mobile mammography at various locations, workplaces and community events.
Schedule your mammogram
Call (866) 520-2510 Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Schedule your mobile mammogram
Call (715) 221-6086 Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Forty percent of women have dense breast tissue. In those instances, MBI is a good addition to mammograms. Because both dense breast tissue and cancer are white in color on mammograms, it can be difficult to identify what is tissue and what is cancer. MBI makes it easier to see cancer using a radiotracer that highlights suspicious areas.
MBI is most often used when you:
Genetic counseling and testing can be helpful for women with a family history of breast cancer. If you do complete testing, genetic counselors can help you understand what the results mean and how to consider them in your breast health plan.
Depending on your mammogram results, your care team might recommend follow-up tests. Follow-up testing does not mean you have breast cancer. It simply gives us a clearer picture of what’s concerning and what’s not, for example dense breast tissue versus cancer, which can be difficult to differentiate on a mammogram.
We offer:
The day of your mammogram, avoid using:
These products can make it difficult to accurately read your mammogram results.
One hour before your mammogram, consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. This can help reduce discomfort.
During your mammogram, try to relax. Tensing your muscles can increase pressure or discomfort.
Most mammograms take about 20 minutes.
During a mammogram, the machine presses down and flattens your breast tissue to take a clear picture. This can cause discomfort, pressure or mild pain for 10 to 15 seconds per image.
Timing varies depending on whether you watch your online patient account or wait on our letter. Online patient accounts often show results within a day or two of your mammogram. Mail can take a bit longer.
For questions on your results, contact your primary care provider. They can help you understand next steps.
We offer additional procedures, imaging and tests to clarify results and rule out concerns. Ask your provider about:
