Breast Health & Women’s Imaging

What Is Breast Health?

Breast health is unique to each individual women. To better understand what breast health means to you, start with a sense of what is normal for your breasts and perform regular self breast exams.

For many women, breast health includes concerns about breast lumps, nipple pain or discharge. Know what is normal for your breasts and when to consult your doctor.

Learn more about Breast Cancer.

Infirmary Health Breast Centers

Infirmary Health provides full-service breast care services for detection and prevention of all breast related diseases. Annual mammograms are key to early detection, often finding cancerous changes before they can be felt as a lump, significantly increasing the chances of successful treatment and survival rates.

In addition to mammography, breast MRI, bone density scans and other imaging services are located across Mobile and Baldwin counties for convenient access.

Breast imaging services include

• 3D Mammography/Tomosynthesis
• Breast ultrasound
• Advanced breast ultrasound screening (ABUS)
• Breast MRI
• Stereotactic & ultrasound biopsy
• Breast biopsies
• Cyst aspiration
• High-definition ultrasound

To schedule an appointment for a mammogram, please call 251-435-2255.

What is a mammogram?

Mammograms are X-rays that take pictures the inside of the breast. A trained radiologist reviews the images to analyze the breast for cancer and then consult with you if further diagnostic testing is needed.

Infirmary Health's breast centers and imaging centers are now all-3D mammography facilities. 3D mammography is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is a standard of care for breast cancer screening. 3D mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis, creates a 3D picture of the breast using X-rays. The mammography machine rotates while taking several low-dose images from different angle around the breast to create the 3D image. This technology allows the radiologist to view the breast in layers enhancing their ability to detect breast cancer and reduce false positives.

Self-breast exams should be performed between mammograms to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally look and feel. You should report any changes to a healthcare provider right away.

A recent study of more than 1 million women found that a 3D mammogram finds more breast cancers and has a lower false-positive rate than a 2D mammogram. Learn more by clicking here.

What is Whole Breast Ultrasound?

With almost 40% of women having dense breasts (less fat and more tissue), mammograms alone may not always work to identify breast cancer. However, our mammographers use the Invenia ABUS 2.0 - an FDA approved mammography system for women with dense breasts to ensure that their breasts are properly screened. Instead of using radiation, this state-of-the-art technology uses sound waves to screen the entire breast.

Invenia ABUS 2.0 screening along with your screening mammogram will help provide a more complete evaluation of your dense breast tissue. Ask you physician about your breast density and risk factors for breast cancer.

Cancer Risk & Prevention Program

The average risk for a woman developing breast cancer in her lifetime is approximately 13%. This means there is a 1 in 8 chance she will develop breast cancer. However, there are some women who have a much higher risk for developing the disease.

Click here to take our High Risk Breast Cancer Risk Screening Quiz!

Infirmary Surgical Specialists' Cancer Risk & Prevention Program helps patients identify their cancer risk and provides them with an individualized plan for reducing that risk including surveillance and lifestyle changes.

Women considered at high risk for breast cancer have:

• Family history of breast cancer
• Family history of genetic mutation
• Personal history of genetic mutation
• Personal history of thoracic radiation
• Dense breast tissue
• Precancerous breast lesions
• Lifestyle risk factors

Infirmary Surgical Specialists' Cancer Risk & Prevention Program provides a personalized
risk assessment and unique care plan which may include:

• Digital 3D mammography
• Breast MRI
• Genetic testing & counseling
• Lifestyle counseling
• Risk-reducing surgery and reconstruction

The program is led by Tammy Pugh, Board-Certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, who is certified and specializes in cancer risk assessment, cancer genetics, and culinary medicine. She is an active member of the North American Menopause society with an additional focus on hormone replacement therapy.

To schedule an appointment with Infirmary Surgical Specialists' Cancer Risk & Prevention Program, please call (251) 433-5557.