The Breast Center
The Breast Center at AHMC Anaheim Regional Medical Center is committed
to providing the most advanced, comprehensive, and convenient breast care
for women. Our experienced staff strives to provide patients with compassionate
care in a warm, friendly environment that combined with state-of-the-art
digital imaging technologies for breast screening and diagnosis.
We offer routine annual screening mammograms as well as diagnostic mammograms
for women who are at an increased risk, or may have a breast symptom.
Breast ultrasounds and biopsies are also available for further imaging
and diagnostic purposes.
Every examination conducted is interpreted by physicians who are certified
by the American Board of Radiology and have advanced fellowship training
in breast imaging. All of our services are performed with efficiency and
accuracy in mind, but we also seek to detect, diagnose, and treat breast
cancer in a caring collaborative effort, treating the whole patient.
The Breast Center at AHMC Anaheim Regional Medical Center is accredited
by the American College of Radiology and the FDA, meeting the highest
standards of the radiology profession.
For more information on our comprehensive breast care services and breast
health please call:
The Breast Center
1211 W. La Palma Ave., Suite 104
Anaheim, CA 92801
Breast Imaging and Diagnostic Services
State-Of-The-Art Digital Mammography
A traditional mammogram is an imaging technique that uses X-rays to view
the tissues inside the breast. These pictures can reveal a lump or
microcalcifications (small clusters of calcium specks) long before they
are large enough to be detected. This can help find cancer in the earlier
stages, when it may be easier to treat.
In 2000, digital mammography was approved by the United States FDA and
has been utilized by breast centers nationwide in conducting screening
and diagnostic services.
At The Breast Center at AHMC Anaheim Regional Medical Center, we use the
new Hologic Selenia digital mammography system (as seen to the right)
to provide our patients with the highest quality care, with approvals
and certifications by the American College of Radiology and the FDA.
Instead of producing traditional x-ray films, digital mammography systems
produce digital images that can be displayed on high resolution monitors.
Digital mammography also provides the following advantages over x-ray film:
- Give physicians better visibility by allowing them to adjust the contrast,
brightness, and magnification.
- Images that are produced are insensitive to exposure variations, so the
need for retakes due to under or over exposure is reduced.
- Images can be stored electronically, making it easier to store and duplicate.
- Takes less time to produce and transmit images to clinical staff.
- A diagnostic mammogram or other imaging tests may be ordered by a physician
to learn more if a mammogram shows an abnormality.
- Women ages 40 and above should have mammograms every 1 or 2 years. This
is important as the chance that a woman will develop breast cancer increases
with her age.
- Women who are under the age of 40 and have risk factors for breast cancer
should consult their physician about getting a mammogram.
A diagnostic mammogram is used to check for breast cancer
after a lump or other sign or symptom of breast cancer has been found.
These signs include:
- Change in breast size/shape
- Nipple discharge
- Skin thickening
Diagnostic mammograms can provide clearer, more detailed images of the
abnormality detected during the
screening mammogram. They may also be used to detect any changes found
since the time the screening mammogram was performed.
In addition to a mammogram, your physician may recommend a breast ultrasound.
An ultrasound allows clinicians to get a more comprehensive view of breast
tissues and chest walls to determine the causes of a breast symptom. A
Breast ultrasound is also beneficial to clinicians in ascertaining the
nature of a breast lump, which may be a fluid filled cyst or a solid mass.
During a breast ultrasound, a clinician will spread lubricating jelly across
the area to be examined and then move a hand held device across the area,
known as a transducer, to direct the sound waves through the tissues. These
waves are reflected back, passing through the transducer, and back to
the monitor, where they create an
A physician may call for a biopsy after a breast exam, mammogram, or ultrasound,
in order to determine a diagnosis.
Fine Needle Aspiration
In order to evaluate a lump further, a small amount of fluid is removed
by using a needle. The removed portion is then studied by pathologists.
This procedure can give clinicians the clearest information about the
nature of the lump. If the results indicate that the lump is a cyst, then
the fluid can be drained out, and may relieve symptoms
of pain or discomfort. If the lump is not a cyst, a different type of
biopsy may be performed.
Needle Localized Breast Biopsy and Wire Localization
Needle localization biopsies and wire localizations are used to pinpoint
the correct location of a breast abnormality for a surgeon, who will use
the wire as a guide to the lump that needs to be removed.
This procedure involves inserting a thin needle at the site of the abnormality;
then, a fine wire is fed through and lodged in the target tissue to be
removed. To ensure that the wire is at the correct location, another mammogram
is taken and the wire is repositioned if necessary. The wire will be removed
along with the area that is biopsied during surgery.
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
A stereotactic breast biopsy is used to take samples from a lump that
can be seen on a mammogram or an ultrasound but cannot be felt during
a breast exam. This procedure is less invasive than a surgical biopsy.
Ultrasound Guided Biopsy
This is a procedure that uses ultrasounds to guide a biopsy needle into
the area of the breast tissue where a lump is that needs to be removed.
Once removed, the sample is taken to pathology to be examined further.
Ultrasound guided biopsies are utilized when a breast abnormality can
be seen on mammograms or ultrasounds but cannot be
felt through a breast exam.
Osteoporosis & DEXA Bone Density Testing
Osteoporosis is a silent, progressive disease characterized by decreased bone density
and increased bone fragility -- the consequences of which lead to high
susceptibility to fractures. Women are at the greatest risk.
One in two women over the age of 50 have Osteoporosis, yet nearly 80% remain
undiagnosed because symptoms do not occur until much bone strength is lost.
Men and women lose bone strength as they grow older, but women have higher
risk for osteoporosis because they frequently have smaller, thinner frames.
The risk for women increases greatly following menopause, with the decrease
in bone-protecting estrogen.
Risk Factors for Osteoporosis include:
- Advanced age
- Alcohol & tobacco use
- Certain medicines (such as steroids or anticonvulsants)
- Early Menopause
- Family history of Osteoporosis
- History of bone fractures
- History of eating disorders
- Lack of exercise
- Low calcium diet
- Small, thin frame
DEXA Bone Density Testing at The Breast Center
The Breast Center offers DEXA Bone Density Testing to determine the density of
your bones. Using small amounts of x-ray to measure the amount of bone
mineral in your spine, hip or entire body, DEXA is a convenient and painless
test that enables our staff to identify whether you are at risk for fracture
-- providing accurate bone density results within just a few minutes.
DEXA compares your bone mineral density (BMD) to that of a "young
adult" at peak bone strength. It also compares your results to people
of your same age group. This information, along with other factors, helps
your physician assess your risk of osteoporotic fracture.
What does the test involve?
The bone densitometer has a large, padded examination table. You will
be asked to lie on your back, wearing your own clothing in most cases.
The technologist positions your arms and legs for the test; then, you
simply lie still and breathe normally. A radiologist interprets your scan
and sends a written report to your physician.