(3) Hologic Selenia Digital Mammography Systems
(1) Stereo Tactic Breast Biopsy System
(1) Faxitron Core Specimen X-Ray System
(1) Mammotome MRI Guided Biopsy System

• Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.
• If this is your first mammogram with Oregon Imaging Centers, and you have had mammograms in the past, please have them sent to us prior to your exam, or bring them the day of your study.
• Be prepared to describe any breast symptoms, changes or problems you are having with your breasts.
• Patients are encouraged to leave all jewelry at home. Jewelry, including piercing, must be removed prior to your study.
• Do not schedule your mammogram the week before your period. The best time is typically one week following your last period.
• Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under your arms on the day of your mammogram, as these substances can cause artifacts on the images.
• If you have sensitive or tender breasts, consider taking an Advil or Tylenol one hour prior to your mammogram.

For your safety, please notify our scheduling department and technologists:

• If you believe you may be pregnant
• If you have breast implants

During your visit, a patient advocate will show you to the changing area and can assist you if necessary. For a mammogram, we ask that you change into a gown that opens in the front. For your convenience, we recommend that you wear a two-piece outfit on the day of your appointment. Our changing rooms offer secure lockers, but we encourage patients to leave valuables at home. Once changed, our patient advocate will guide you to the mammography sub-waiting area where you will find a selection of magazines and newspapers. If you prefer more privacy, please ask the patient advocate to allow you to wait in your dressing room.

The technologist is specially trained and certified by the American Registry of Radiological Technologists to take care of you during your mammogram scan. During your mammogram, the technologists will position you and place your breast on a platform and compress it with a paddle made of Plexiglas.

Breast compression is necessary in order to:

• Even out the breast thickness to improve tissue visualization
• Ensure that small abnormalities will not be obscured
• Reduce radiation exposure
• Hold the breast still to eliminate blurring caused by motion

The technologist will gradually apply pressure until the breast is fully compressed. Inform the technologist if you experience sudden or sharp discomfort.

Note: Screening mammograms for patients with implants take approximately 30 minutes. Four views of the breast are taken because less compression is used to avoid rupturing the implants.

The technologist will step behind a lead-glass shield while capturing the images. Screening mammograms include a top-to-bottom view and a side view. The process is repeated for the opposite breast.

• A sub-specialized radiologist will interpret your images and prepare a diagnostic report for your physician.
• Results are usually made available to your physician in two or three days. If outside comparison studies are required, it may take longer for your results to be made available.

Mammogram Screening Studies examine the breast for calcifications, suspicious growth or tumors.