Breast health

Comprehensive breast services in Wabash Valley

Terre Haute Regional Hospital's Mammography Department is an American College of Radiology (ACR)-accredited facility. Technologists certified by The American Registry of Radiologic Technologist perform all mammograms.

According to Breastcancer.org, breast cancer affects 13 percent of women in their lifetime. Regardless of family history, the two most common risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and getting older.

Steps to early detection

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. Steps can be taken to detect breast cancer early, such as:

• Breast self-examination every month beginning at 18 years old
• Clinical breast exams by a healthcare professional every three years between 18 and 39 years old and every year after you turn 40 years old
• Screening mammograms annually after you turn 40 years old

Preparing for your examination

• Schedule your mammogram following your menstrual cycle, when breasts are less tender.
• Wear a two-piece outfit on the day of your appointment.
• Do not apply deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under arms or near the breasts the day of your exam.
• Please bring or have your previous mammogram or breast ultrasound mailed to us, if not done at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.
• Please inform your physician and your mammographer if there is a chance of pregnancy.

Breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography)

Doctors and scientists agree that early detection is the best defense against breast cancer. Successful treatment and survival rates for breast cancer patients are dramatically affected by early detection.

While digital mammography is still one of the most advanced technologies available today, it is only a two-dimensional picture of the breast. The breast is a three-dimensional object composed of different structures, such as blood vessels, milk ducts, fat and ligaments. All of these structures, which are located at different heights within the breast, can overlap when viewed as a two-dimensional, flat image.

What is 3D mammography?

3D mammography is a new technology in the fight against breast cancer that allows doctors to examine your breast tissue one layer at a time. 3D mammography uses a high-powered computer to convert digital breast images into a stack of very thin layers or "slices," creating a 3D mammogram. A good analogy for 3D mammography is like thinking of the pages in a book. If you look down at the cover you cannot see all of the pages, but when you open it up, you can go through the entire book page-by-page to see everything between the covers. 3D mammography is designed with the same concept in mind.

Very low X-ray energy is used during the screening examination so your radiation exposure is below the FDA guidelines. Together, 3D mammography and digital mammography for breast cancer screening have been proven to significantly reduce "call-backs" by 20 to 40 percent.

What to expect at your 3D mammogram

A 3D mammography exam is very similar to a traditional mammogram. Just as with a digital mammogram, the technologist will position you, compress your breast under a paddle and take images from different angles. During the 3D mammography part of the exam, the X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over the breast, taking multiple images of the breast in just seconds.

There is no additional compression required with 3D mammography, and it only takes a few seconds longer for each view. The technologist will view the images at a computer workstation to ensure they have captured adequate images for review by a radiologist.

Navigation Services

Our breast health navigator integrates the services of our breast program. She has an understanding of all disciplines involved in breast care. She'll help guide patients through diagnosis and treatments, making sure patients know their options and receive the care, education and support they need. This approach provides a continuity of care as physicians and clinical staff provide comprehensive treatment to patients.