Breast & Bone Care
Breast Care
Mammography
A mammogram is an X-ray imaging test used to detect breast cancer and other abnormalities in the breast tissue. It’s a routine screening tool for women, especially for those over 40, to help identify potential issues early.
Screening mammograms are used for early detection of breast abnormalities. Diagnostic mammograms are used to further investigate a finding, such as a mass, found on the screening mammogram.
Breast Ultrasound
Breast ultrasounds are used in addition to others tests such as a mammogram or breast MRI in the assessment of breast tissue as part of screening and diagnostic imaging.
Breast Biopsies
Breast biopsies are performed so that a physician can remove cells from a suspicious area of a patient’s breast. Patients needing a breast biopsy do not necessarily have cancer; however, undergoing a biopsy procedure is the only way to rule out cancer.
Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI imaging of the breast is used in specific circumstances with high risk patients or in patients with breast density that reduces the detection rate of other imaging techniques.
Bone Care
Bone Densitometry
A bone density scan (also known as a DEXA scan, which stands for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) is a medical test used to measure the strength of your bones. It evaluates the amount of minerals (mainly calcium) in your bones to assess their density. The scan uses a small amount of X-ray radiation to get images of your bones, usually focusing on the spine, hip, and wrist.
Why is a Bone Density Scan Done?
A bone density scan is done to:
- Diagnose Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become brittle and more likely to fracture. The scan can detect bone loss before fractures happen.
- Assess Fracture Risk: If someone has osteoporosis or is at high risk of it, the scan helps estimate the likelihood of bone fractures in the future.
- Monitor Bone Health Over Time: For people who are undergoing treatment for bone diseases (like osteoporosis), the scan is used to track changes in bone density and effectiveness of treatment.
- Identify Causes of Bone Pain or Suspected Bone Disease: If someone is experiencing unexplained bone pain or if there’s a history of bone fractures, the scan can help identify underlying causes.
- Check Bone Density in Postmenopausal Women and Older Adults: Bone density typically decreases with age, and women are particularly at risk for osteoporosis after menopause due to hormonal changes.
The results of the scan are often reported as a T-score, which compares your bone density to the average bone density of a healthy 30-year-old. A lower T-score indicates lower bone density and a higher risk of fractures.