Breast Care Services
Services
St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center offers the following services to help meet the unique health care needs of women in our community:
- Diagnostic and screening mammography, featuring the most advanced screening technology: Full field digital mammography
- All screening mammograms are processed through a state-of-the-art computer aided detection system (CAD) that provides a technological “second look” to assist radiologists in identifying areas on the mammogram that warrant another review.
- Clinical breast exams
- Self breast exam education
- Breast care coordination services
Mammography and Breast Self-Examination
Every woman has a one in eight lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Treatments for this often deadly disease are becoming more effective and the survival rate is increasing, but prevention is still the best defense. St. Luke's is dedicated to stopping breast cancer, and our expanded breast cancer screening services and dedicated staff provide easy access to this important technology.
Most of St. Luke’s BCDC sites feature Full field digital mammography. Soon, all our sites will feature this state-of-the-art equipment.
Digital mammography uses computers and specially designed digital detectors to produce an image that can be displayed on a high-resolution computer monitor, and transmitted and stored just like computer files. From a patient’s point of view, having a digital mammogram is very much like having a conventional screen-film mammogram. Unlike film-based mammography, however, digital mammograms produce images that appear on the technologist’s monitor in a matter of seconds.
The radiologist can then review electronic images of the breast using special high-resolution monitors. The physician can adjust the brightness, change contrast, and zoom in for close-ups of specific areas of interest. Being able to manipulate images is one of the main benefits of digital technology.
Digital mammography greatly reduces the need for retakes due to over or under exposure. This can save additional time and reduce patient exposure to x-rays. Because they are electronic, digital mammography images can be transmitted quickly across a network. They can be easily stored, copied without any loss of information, and transmitted and received in a more streamlined manner, eliminating dependence on only one set of “original” films.
All mammography films from exams performed at BCDC are automatically processed by a computer-aided detection system (CAD) that assists radiologists by digitizing and analyzing mammograms for suspicious areas that may indicate cancer. Studies have shown that this system may help detect up to 20 percent more breast cancers in their earliest, most treatable stage. CAD is just one more example of St. Luke's MSTI's dedication to winning the battle against breast cancer.
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is a breast x-ray that can detect a tumor as small as the head of a pin. Our mammograms are done by a certified mammography technologist with state-of-the-art equipment, which assures you the highest quality with the lowest radiation dose.
What is a clinical breast exam?
A clinical breast exam includes visual and palpable (touch) examination of your breasts and surrounding tissues. At BCDC, these exams are conducted by nurses specially trained in this area.
What is breast self-examination?
Performed on a monthly basis, breast self-examination is a system that allows a woman to thoroughly check her breasts for signs of cancer, both visually and palpably (by touch).
Do I Need a Mammogram?
The American Cancer Society recommends that every woman should have a mammogram by the age of 40, and annually thereafter. Regular mammograms are one of the most important things a woman can do to protect her health. If you are over the age of 40, call BCDC today to schedule a mammogram and clinical breast exam. Don't delay – a mammogram could save your life.
How do I Schedule a Mammogram?
Call St. Luke's Women's Imaging Center at 933-4050.
