Breast Imaging

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North Knoxville Medical Center offers imaging technology that can aid in detecting breast cancer at the earliest stages, when treatment can be most effective. The combination of trained, caring technologists and imaging technology allows us to deliver quality care, close to home.

Breast imaging services include:

• 3D mammography
• Digital mammography
• Breast MRI
• Breast ultrasound

3D Mammography

Make a date to do something special for yourself and your family. The Imaging Center at North Knoxville Medical Center is proud to bring you 3D mammography, which often provides clearer images. It can help detect breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages.

If you are 40 or older, or considered to be at high risk, the American Cancer Society recommends a screening mammogram each year. So, if it's time for yours, please don't wait.

3D mammography (tomosynthesis) is a digital mammography option for some patients, particularly those with dense breasts, that allows physicians to examine breast tissue layer by layer. Instead of viewing all the complexities of breast tissue in a flat image, as with traditional 2D mammography, fine details are more visible and no longer hidden by the tissue above or below. This improvement in visualization often increases invasive cancer detection rates and reduces callback rates, thus reducing patient anxiety when called to return for additional imaging. Consult your physician to know if 3D mammography is the best option for you.

For American College of Radiology recommendations, visit www.acr.org.

Comparative data using 3D and 2D mammography to detect invasive cancer on BreastCancer.org.

Digital Mammography

Mammography is an X-ray exam of the breasts used to screen for or diagnose breast cancer. North Knoxville Medical Center offers digital imaging technology for mammograms. With digital technology, radiologists can zoom in on particular areas or change brightness or contrast for even greater visibility, and results can be read immediately.

Digital mammography technology is equipped with special computer-aided detection (CAD) software. CAD acts as a radiologist's "second pair of eyes" when reading a mammogram. Similar to a spellchecker system on a personal computer, this technology has the potential to detect findings that might otherwise be overlooked during the review process, thus improving the opportunity for cancer detection. CAD technology is especially effective in identifying microcalcifications in the breast, some of which can indicate a malignant process.

Additional patient benefits:

• Better visibility of the breast, particularly near the skin line, the chest wall and in women with dense breast tissue.
• Compression speed of the paddle slows when coming into contact with the breast, providing better patient comfort.
• Consistent image quality for screening, diagnosis and interventional procedures.
• Ergonomic paddle shapes to the breast, optimizing the tissue for imaging.
• Exams can take less than half the time of traditional film-based mammograms.
• Narrow tube head allows for easy and relaxed patient positions during the exam.

Patients 40 and older can register for a screening mammogram without a physician order. A physician order is required for all diagnostic mammograms and for screening mammograms in patients under the age of 40.

To schedule your mammogram, please call (865) 545-7771 or toll free at 866-645-7771.

National Recognitions

National Accreditation Program of Breast Centers (NAPBC)
The Breast Center at North Knoxville Medical Center is also accredited by the National Accreditation Program of Breast Centers of the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation is only given to breast centers that comply with high quality standards, including proficiency in leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement. A breast center that receives this accreditation has demonstrated a firm commitment to offer its patients every significant advantage in their battles against breast disease.

American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence
The Breast Center at North Knoxville Medical Center has also been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. This prestigious award recognizes that the Breast Center has earned the "gold seal" of accreditation in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy and breast ultrasound, including ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.

Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis. An order from a physician or qualified healthcare provider is required. All mammogram reports will be sent to the physician/provider, and the patient is responsible for follow-up. Check with your insurance provider to confirm coverage for a screening mammogram.