Digital Mammography at UPMC

Mammograms are vital to finding and treating breast cancer, benign tumors, and cysts.

When Should I Start Getting Mammograms?

While guidelines vary, UPMC experts suggest starting breast cancer screenings at 40.

We offer 3D mammograms for breast cancer screenings.

Talk to your PCP or OB/GYN about when you should start screening. They may want you to start routine screenings sooner based on your family's health history.

Schedule a Mammogram at UPMC

What Is Digital Mammography?

Digital or screening mammograms are done to find cancer before there are any symptoms. Even if you do not have any breast problems, an exam is recommended and should also be done if you have a personal or family history of breast cancer, benign breast disease, or breast implants. A prescription is not needed for this exam.

Digital mammography is like a standard mammogram, except it doesn't use film. Instead, it uses a digital detector to take x-rays and stores them on a computer.

Screening mammograms produce:

Detailed images of the breast.
Quicker test results.
More precise diagnoses.

What Is a 3D Mammogram?

3D mammograms take many pictures of the breast tissue using a series of x-ray image slices, much like a CT scan. They provide clear, detailed, 3D pictures to help your doctor detect breast cancer.

Benefits of 3D Mammogram

Only take one top-to-bottom picture and one side-to-side picture of your breast.

Compress your breast, which can cause your breast tissue to overlap. This can make it harder for your doctors to see signs of cancer.

3D mammograms take crisper images

3D mammography:

Produces better pictures and has a higher sensitivity to defects, allowing for more precise diagnoses.
Gives doctors a view inside the breast layer by layer, helping to see the fine details of dense breasts.
Lets doctors enhance or correct images for under or over-exposure using computer technology.

3D mammograms have more precise results

Since they take multiple pictures from different angles, studies show that 3D mammograms can:

Prevent false positives or unclear results caused by overlapping or dense breast tissue.
Decrease the number of women by 15 percent who need to come in for further testing.
UPMC doctors have seen an increase in detecting breast cancer by 34% and reduced patient call-back rates by 32%.

3D mammograms are faster

By using a computer to collect the images, our state-of-the-art digital mammography systems:

Cut the test time in half.
Require less development time, leading to faster results.
Securely store and electronically send your x-rays to your doctor.

Other breast imaging tests

As a follow-up to your mammogram, your doctor may order other tests such as:

Breast MRI or ultrasound to learn more about the nature or extent of issues found on a mammogram.
MRI- or ultrasound-guided breast biopsies to take a tissue sample of an abnormality seen on scans.
Mammogram-guided (stereotactic) breast biopsy finds and takes a sample of abnormal breast tissue. It uses a special mammography machine to help your doctor take the sample using a hollow needle.

How do I prep for a digital mammogram?

Do not apply deodorant, talcum powder, lotion, or perfume near your breasts or under your arms. They can affect the quality and clarity of the x-ray.

Ask your doctor if you should take pain medicine, like ibuprofen, to relieve post-test discomfort.

Wear comfortable, two-piece clothing so you can easily remove your shirt.

Bring copies of past mammograms and report with you, or contact your previous mammography facility to send them, if this if your first time at a UPMC center. UPMC will wait up to two weeks to receive your results if we don't have any prior images on file to make sure our radiologists have the opportunity to compare.

What to expect during your digital mammogram at UPMC before the test

Before the test

If you're pregnant or think you might be, tell your imaging tech before your mammogram starts. The radiation from the x-ray exposure can be harmful to an unborn baby.

Describe any breast problems to your tech.

Take off your shirt, bra, and any jewelry. We'll give you a wrap or gown to wear.

During your 3D mammogram

Your imaging tech will:

Place you in front of a special x-ray machine with a platform to place your breast on. Adjust the height of the platform to lift one breast.

Move a plastic, contoured plate close to the platform to gently compress the breast for a few seconds. This slight pressure spreads the breast tissue allowing for a clearer image.

Tell the technologist if you are feeling any discomfort as we are committed to making this as comfortable as possible. At UPMC, many of our sites use the new smart curve paddles for your comfort.

Take two pictures of the breast.

You will face the platform, which takes an x-ray looking down at the breast.
You will stand beside the machine, which takes a side view image of the breast.

Repeat the steps above on the other breast.

Your tech may need to take more than four digital pictures of the breasts if:

You have implants.
Your doctor wants to look at a specific spot of breast tissue more closely.
The exam may cause some discomfort, but the tech will be right there to help comfort you.

After Your Mammogram

You can return to your normal routine right away after your mammogram.

Your Digital Mammogram Test Results

A radiologist studies your high-quality digital breast x-rays and sends your imaging test results to your doctor via our state-of-the-art computer system. You should receive test results within 7 to 10 days.

You can also view your test results at your UPMC patient portal account.

Call your doctor's office if you have questions about your mammogram results.