Breast Care Center at Holy Family Hospital
Digital mammography is the most effective method of early detection in the fight against breast cancer. This technology offers women a number of benefits, including improved image quality, reduced procedure time and enhanced patient comfort.
Our breast care services include:
- Low-dose mammography
- Ultrasound
- Sereotactic and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and core biopsy
- 3D mammography (offered at the Methuen and Haverhill campuses)
Flexible appointments are available, including evenings and Saturday hours. A physician referral for a screening mammogram is not required.
Mammograms
One out of eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. That's why breast exams are such an important aid in early detection, especially for women over 35. A mammography exam can detect a tumor long before you can feel it. Such early detection of breast cancer can save your life. It can also give you an opportunity to choose between treatment options.
Mammogram and breast examination guidelines:
- If you are between the ages of 20 and 40, you should perform a breast self-examination every month and have a breast examination by a physician every three years
- If you are between the ages of 30 and 35 and have a strong family history of breast cancer, you should have a mammogram
- If you are 35 or over, a baseline mammogram should be done for later comparison
- By age 40, you should do a breast self-examination every month, have a breast exam by a physician and a mammography every year
- After age 50, you should continue your breast self-examination every month, and have a physician breast exam and mammogram every year
Who's at risk for breast cancer?
Because breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, every woman should consider herself at risk. However, the following factors put you at higher risk for breast cancer:
- Over 50 years old
- Previous breast cancer or benign breast disease
- Family history of breast cancer (especially maternal)x
- No full-term pregnancies
- Pregnancy of first child after age 30
- Early menstruation (before age 13)
- Late menopause (after age 52)
- Diet high in fat
- Obesity
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
Since most breast cancers are discovered by women themselves, it is important for you to know what to look for:
- A lump or thickening in the breast
- A change in breast shape
- Discharge from the nipple
- Skin changes (color, texture, consistency)
- Puckering or dimpling
- Nipple inversion (pulling inward)
Holy Family Hospital possesses a valid Commonwealth of Massachusetts Mammography License and Certificate of Inspection from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and is accredited by the American College of Radiology.
Our Team
Resources
When Was Your Last Mammogram?
An annual mammogram remains the best tool for breast cancer detection, yet statistics still show that not enough women are getting screened. Only half of women are getting their routine annual screening.
Early Detection Boosts Breast Cancer Survival Rates
After years of controversy over mammogram guidelines some women continue to get annual mammograms as it remains the best tool in breast cancer detection. But more need to be done to increase access to mammogram screenings.
Chemoprevention: Chemotherapy to Prevent Rather Than Treat Breast Cancer
We often hear about chemotherapy being used to treat cancer, but most people are not aware that it can also be used to prevent cancer in patients with noncancerous lesions cons
Steward Health Care