A mammogram is the best way to screen for breast cancer. We offer comprehensive screening and diagnostic mammography using 3D mammography (tomosynthesis). 3D mammography is our standard of care at all locations and provides a clearer and more detailed picture of the breast tissue, especially for those with dense breasts.
At your annual mammogram, we’ll also discuss your personal and family health history to determine your risk for developing breast cancer and create a personalized care plan.
Personalized Breast Health Care
You deserve care from providers who see you as a whole person, not just a number or a set of symptoms. At St. Luke’s Breast Center, we offer compassionate, comprehensive breast screening, personalized risk assessments, diagnostic services and a full range of treatment options designed to give you every advantage in preventing, detecting and treating breast cancer.
Our dedicated breast health team partners with you every step of the way, helping you make informed decisions about your health and well-being. We are here to empower and support you with personalized breast health care.
Healthy Breasts Begin with Awareness
The first step to breast health is breast awareness. You should be familiar with how your breast tissue usually feels so you can notice when something changes. Starting at age 20, monthly self-breast exams and routine physical breast exams by your primary care provider or gynecologist can help you notice if something has changed.
Changes to your breasts may include:
- Lumps
- Nipple discharge
- Pain
- Skin irritation or change in appearance
Discuss these changes or any of your concerns with your healthcare provider right away.
Stay Up to Date with Screenings
Regular screenings for breast cancer save thousands of lives each year, and early detection and diagnosis improves your chances for successful treatment. We recommend annual screening mammograms starting at age 40, or younger if you’re at high risk. Women who are uninsured or underinsured may be eligible for free mammograms. Learn more about our mammography/breast health guidelines.
St. Luke's Breast Center is staffed with nationally recognized radiologists, breast surgeons, nurse practitioners, breast care coordinators and care team members who are committed to providing you with care tailored to your unique needs. If required, you also have access to cancer care coordination, genetic counseling and testing, as well as rehabilitation and support services.
In addition to the Breast Center on St. Luke's Hospital campus and our Center in Chesterfield Valley, we offer imaging services at several locations throughout the area. Our mobile mammography unit also visits businesses and organizations in the community.
If your doctor finds an irregularity on your mammogram, you may need further diagnostic testing. We provide a full range of diagnostic imaging services, including breast ultrasound, MRI, CT and PET scans. We also offer Invenia™ ABUS Automated Breast Ultrasound, a computer-guided whole-breast ultrasound that is used as a supplementary examination of the breasts to help find smaller cancers that may be missed by mammography alone. It is especially useful in women with dense breasts or breast implants.
If findings are suspicious, we utilize an array of minimally invasive breast biopsy techniques, including stereotactic-guided, ultrasound-guided, MRI-guided and 3D image-guided breast biopsies. For each breast biopsy, the radiologist will work with the patient to determine the best imaging technique to utilize.
For women who are at higher risk for developing breast cancer, we have a high-risk clinic dedicated to proactively monitoring breast health. Our breast specialists will help you understand your personal risk factors for breast cancer and your level of risk. We’ll help you develop a personalized plan for breast cancer screening and prevention.
Breast cancer surgery is an effective way to treat breast cancer by removing the cancerous cells and is sometimes followed by chemotherapy or radiation. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, our breast care team will seamlessly coordinate your care with our board-certified breast cancer surgeons and oncologists. Close working relationships mean you can be seen timely and receive personalized cancer care.