Women's Breast Cancer Imaging Center in Troy & Rochester Hills, MI
One in eight women will develop breast cancer within her lifetime, but with early detection and treatment, the 5-year survival rate is nearly 100%. A mammogram is a form of breast imaging that detects cancer long before it is even felt. Oakland Macomb Obstetrics & Gynecology uses the most modern methods available for a comfortable and accurate experience.
Types of Imaging
Mammograms are your best defense for detecting and treating breast cancer. Screening mammograms are used to determine if cancer is present in women with no symptoms while diagnostic mammograms investigate suspicious results from those initial screenings.
Screening
The earlier you begin having mammograms, the more effective they are at detecting cancer. Starting screening at age 40 will save 100,000 more lives every decade than starting at 50. Three out of four women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease and have no obvious risk factors other than being women, so it is very important to get screenings early and often for the best results, especially if you are of Asian, Black, or Hispanic descent. Annual mammograms significantly decrease the chances of death from breast cancer regardless of background or age.
Diagnostic
Many screening mammograms show nothing to worry about, but sometimes your doctor will notice concerning symptoms such as lumps, discharge, or changes to the size or shape of the breast since the last screening. A diagnostic mammogram provides a more detailed x-ray image that zeroes in on the areas in question for a closer look. Diagnostic mammograms are able to spot tumors and abnormal cells so that further treatment options can then be explored.
When to See a Gynecologist
Gynecologists treat girls and women of all ages. In general, it’s wise for females to start seeing a gynecologist at least once per year when they reach the age of 13-15 years-old. By establishing a relationship early on, it allows a female to be comfortable talking to her doctor about the issues she experiences as her body and sexuality change and evolve throughout her lifetime. It also enables the woman’s doctor to provide lifelong guidance regarding the woman’s overall health and well-being.
Some women shouldn’t wait for their annual screening to see their gynecologist. If you have a concern or you’re experiencing symptoms such as pelvic pain, vaginal discomfort, or abnormal bleeding, you should make an appointment to see your gynecologist immediately.
Common Gynecology Problems
As we mentioned earlier, gynecologists treat a wide array of issues related to female reproductive organs. Here are some common problems gynecologists handle on a regular basis:
Services We Offer
Oakland Macomb’s Women’s Imaging Center offers the following services to keep you healthy and informed:
3D Mammography Screening:
Oakland Macomb Obstetrics & Gynecology uses the Genius™ 3D Mammography™ exam. This technology has been proven to be more accurate than traditional flat images in over 100 studies, allowing doctors to examine the breast tissue layer by layer, regardless of breast density or age
Diagnostic Mammography:
If your initial screening shows troubling results, we will go in for a closer look. This more detailed x-ray screening provides needed answers to determine whether further treatment is needed.
Diagnostic Breast Ultrasound:
This method of breast imaging uses sound waves to get clearer pictures of breast lumps or irregularities and make a diagnosis if necessary.
Whole Breast Biopsy:
When screenings find suspicious lumps in the breast, a tissue sample is taken to get more information and to help guide a treatment plan
Ultrasound-guided Breast Biopsy:
This is the most common method used to obtain breast tissue samples for testing, using ultrasound picture technology
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy:
When lesions are more visible on a mammogram than on an ultrasound, this method may produce better sampling results.
Cyst Aspiration:
Most cysts are non-cancerous, and aspiration drains the fluid from the cyst to relieve discomfort and be tested if further complications are suspected.
Call Oakland Macomb OBGYN to schedule an evaluation today!