Mammograms

Not sure when to schedule your breast exam? These are the screening guidelines we follow:

• Ages 18–39
  Consult your primary care provider for a formal risk assessment. Clinical breast exams may begin at age 25.
• Age 40+
  Annual screening mammograms are recommended.
• Age 75+
  Continue annual mammograms if life expectancy exceeds five to seven years.
• Family History
  Begin screening 10 years before your relative’s diagnosis age. For example, start at 35 if a family member was diagnosed at 45.
• Self-Awareness
  Know how your breasts normally look and feel, and report any changes to your provider.

Mammography plays a vital role in early breast cancer detection because it can show signs of cancer that are too small or subtle to feel.

The 3-D mammography technology at Renown Breast Health Center can detect 41% more cancers and reduces the number of false-positive results compared to other mammography.

Benefits of 3-D mammography:

• Better, clearer images
• It allows radiologists to see more abnormalities in the breast
• It helps doctors spot more cancers and avoid false positives, especially if you have dense breast tissue

The digital images can also be lightened, darkened and enlarged in real time, giving radiologists a better look at suspicious areas.

A whole breast ultrasound, also known as a sonogram, is a non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves (not radiation) to create images of the entire breast. 

It can be used as a screening tool or as a follow-up test after an abnormal finding on another imaging test. The exam only takes about 20 minutes.

We recommend these exams if your mammograms show dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue and cancer both look white on a mammogram.

If your mammogram shows you have dense breasts (less fatty, more connective tissue), you may want to consider a whole breast ultrasound in addition to your mammogram.

Check with your insurance company to determine if whole breast ultrasounds are covered.

• You can schedule your annual mammogram through MyChart if you are over 40.
• You can also call 775-982-8100 to schedule your mammogram.
• If you are under the age of 40, then you will need a referral from your primary care provider to schedule your mammogram.

If cancer is detected, your care is reviewed by a multidisciplinary breast cancer team to guide treatment early. A dedicated nurse navigator supports you from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

Renown’s breast cancer program is nationally accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). The William N. Pennington Cancer Institute earned accreditation from National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC).