Breast Cancer and Early Detection

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. A mammogram can detect cancer early, when it is most treatable. Even though this is the case, nearly a third of American women currently do not get regular mammograms. Screening mammograms do not require a physician’s order. Wake Radiology simply requires that eligible patients have visited their physician within the past 18 months.

Annual Screening Mammograms for Women 40 and Older

Early detection is the best protection. Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the United States during their lifetime and 1 in 6 breast cancers occur in women aged 40-49. The American College of Radiology recommends an annual screening mammogram beginning at age 40. While some cancers (about 20%) cannot be found by mammography alone, early detection requires a combination of breast self-awareness and a yearly mammogram. A baseline mammogram is the name used for a patient’s first screening mammogram. It is important because it is usually used as the basis for comparison in later tests. Wake Radiology also recommends that women conduct self-exams each month to detect changes in their breasts and to schedule a yearly clinical exam with their primary healthcare provider. Request a mammogram appointment today!

Early Screening Mammography for High Risk Patients Under 40

Women who are at higher than average risk of breast cancer (family history of the disease or because they carry a known mutation in either the BRCA1 or the BRCA2 gene) should talk with their primary care physician or radiologist about whether to have mammograms before age 40, when to start and how often to have them. We are devoted to maintaining excellence across a comprehensive set of breast imaging methods, following best practices and going above and beyond what any other local provider does. We are focused on providing the most specific answers possible to women and their referring providers.

Understanding 2D and 3D Mammography

3D mammography is a revolutionary new screening and diagnostic tool designed for early breast cancer detection. We believe this is the most exciting breast screening breakthrough in nearly 20 years. 3D mammography is performed in conjunction with a traditional 2D digital mammogram to create a more complete picture of breast health. During the 3D part of the exam, the X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over the breast, taking multiple images. A computer then produces a layered 3D image of the breast tissue and the radiologist can scan through the 1mm images like pages in a book. Said another way, 3D mammography provides greater detail and allows the radiologist to see “inside” the breast layer by layer to find cancers earlier than ever. There are many recognized names for 3D mammography such as breast tomosynthesis, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), 3D breast tomosynthesis, 3D tomosynthesis, tomosynthesis and tomo. Request a 3D mammogram appointment today!

Learn about Breast Density

North Carolina requires that patients be informed if they have “dense breast tissue” on screening mammography, so each mammography report includes that information. To learn more, watch Dr. Kerry Chandler’s video on breast density, read the NC law or download this brochure.

Easy scheduling

At Wake Radiology, it’s easy to schedule this important exam, because many of our offices are open evenings and Saturdays and some locations offer walk-ins screening mammogram appointments. While patients must have seen a primary care doctor in the past 18 months, a signed physician referral is not required for this annual exam.

Insurance

3D Mammography is now covered by most major insurance carriers as well as Medicare and NC Medicaid.  We encourage patients to check with their insurance carrier to verify coverage before coming for a screening. Wake Radiology regularly provides payment plans to help patients manage the costs of care. We are happy to extend payments over time (without interest or additional fees) to assist you. Learn more about eligibility and insurance as well as the insurance plans we participate in.

Convenient mammography locations throughout Triangle

Wake Radiology offers breast imaging services at all Triangle locations, and all services are interpreted by breast imaging Radiologists. All of our mammography offices are certified by the FDA and accredited by the American College of Radiology and have earned the ACR’s highest recognition as Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence (BICOE). Wake Radiology offers 3D mammography at ALL of our locations!

• WakeRad UNC REX Breast Care Center
• WakeRad UNC REX Care Breast Center
• WakeRad UNC REX Chapel Hill
• WakeRad UNC REX Fuquay-Varina
• WakeRad UNC REX Garner
• WakeRad UNC REX Holly Springs
• WakeRad UNC REX Knightdale
• WakeRad UNC REX North Hills Breast Center
• WakeRad UNC REX Panther Creek
• WakeRad UNC REX Smithfield
• WakeRad UNC REX Wakefield
• WakeRad UNC REX Wake Forest
• WakeRad UNC REX West Raleigh

Download our office hours and locations!

• Office hours and services
• Map of all Triangle area locations

Full spectrum of breast imaging services

The unique breadth and depth of Wake Radiology’s breast imaging expertise allows us to offer a full spectrum of breast imaging services, from 3D mammography, breast ultrasound and Breast MRI to three types of image-guided breast biopsy. We understand the importance of providing all of these imaging modalities to patients and their referring physicians – and are the only outpatient radiology practice in the area that does.Wake Radiology provides comprehensive breast exams in many convenient locations in the Triangle

• Digital screening mammography (conventional 2D and new 3D exams)
• Digital diagnostic mammography
• Breast ultrasound
• Breast MRI
• Breast biopsy (stereotactic, ultrasound-guided and MRI-guided)