Diagnostic Services

Titus Regional Medical Center features state-of-the-art digital mammography at the Center for Women's Health at Titus. Mammography is used as a screening tool to detect early breast cancer in women experiencing no symptoms. Mammography is also used to detect and diagnose breast disease in women experiencing symptoms such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge.

Mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers because it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Current guidelines recommend a screening mammography every year for women beginning at age 40. Annual mammograms lead to early detection of breast cancers, when they are most curable and breast-conservation therapies are available.

TRMC now offers the self-referral option for screening mammograms.

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SELF-REFERRAL PROCESS, A WOMAN MUST BE:

• 40 years of age or older
• Have no symptoms of breast disease or changes in breast tissue

Diagnostic mammography is used to further evaluate symptoms of breast disease. Board certifiied radiologists interpret diagnostic mammograms for findings such as breast lumps. All of our technologists are registered Mammography Technologists by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

MR imaging uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures.

MRI of the breast offers valuable information about many breast conditions that cannot be obtained by other imaging modalities, such as mammography or ultrasound.

COMMON USES OF BREAST MRI

MRI of the breast is not a replacement for mammography or ultrasound imaging but rather a supplemental tool for detecting and staging breast cancer and other breast abnormalities.

MR imaging of the breast is performed to:

• Assess multiple tumor locations, especially prior to breast conservation surgery
• Identify early breast cancer not detected through other means, especially in women with dense     breast tissue and those at high risk for the disease
• Evaluate abnormalities detected by mammography or ultrasound
• Distinguish between scar tissue and recurrent tumors
• Determine whether cancer detected by mammography, ultrasound, or after surgical biopsy has     spread further in the breast or into the chest wall
• Assess the effect of chemotherapy
• Provide additional information on a diseased breast to make treatment decisions
• Determine the integrity of breast implants
• PREPARATION FOR THE EXAMINATION

Jewelry and other accessories should be left at home or removed prior to the MRI scan. Metal and electronic objects are not allowed in the exam room, because they can interfere with the magnetic field of the MRI unit. These items include:

• Jewelry, watches, credit cards and hearing aids, all of which can be damaged
• Pins, hairpins, metal zippers and similar metallic items, which can distort MRI images
• Removable dental work
• Pens, pocketknives and eyeglasses
• Body piercings

Are you looking for an alternative to open or surgical biopsy?

The Center for Women's Health at Titus is home to the gentler option of stereotactic breast biopsy, a safe and minimally invasive form of breast biopsy.

A breast biopsy is the only definitive way to confirm if a breast abnormality is benign (non-cancerous). With stereotactic breast biopsy, the procedure is completed as an outpatient procedure with a minimum of discomfort and recovery time.

A sophisticated advanced imaging system is used to precisely locate and remove a sample of suspect breast tissue.

Bone densitometry safely, accurately and painlessly measures bone density. Bone density screening enables your healthcare provider to diagnose and begin treatment of osteoporosis. When bone loss is detected in the earliest stage, treatment is more successful.

Your chance of developing osteoporosis is greater if you are female and answer yes to any of the following questions:

Are You...?

• light skinned
• thin or small framed
• approaching or past menopause
• lactose-intolerant or have a low calcium intake
• a cigarette smoker
• excessive alcohol drinker
• taking thyroid medication or steroid-based drugs for asthma

Do You Have...?

• a family history of osteoporosis
• chronic intestinal disorders
• arthritis or cancer
• a sedentary lifestyle

If you answered yes to any of these questions, talk to your healthcare provider about scheduling a bone density screening at the Center for Women's Health at Titus. Osteoporosis is preventable and treatable.