Breast Imaging & Mammography
Breast Imaging & Mammography at UVM Health
A specialized field within radiology, breast imaging uses a variety of exams to look for cancer or diagnose abnormalities found in your breasts. An important tool for catching cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages, mammograms are low-dose X-rays that help to reveal unusual changes in your breast tissue.
University of Vermont Health offers you the full range of breast imaging services, from annual screening mammograms to diagnostic mammography and breast ultrasounds, breast MRIs and breast biopsies. Our dedicated breast imaging radiologists work closely with skilled mammography and MRI technologists, breast ultrasound sonographers and medical assistants to produce the highest quality images.
Why Choose UVM Health?
We offer:
- Experience that matters: We use leading-edge digital equipment to perform the highest volume of exams in our service area.
- Latest 3D mammography: We offer state-of-the-art 3D mammography (tomosynthesis), an X-ray technology that takes multiples images of your breast tissue for greater detail allowing us to better distinguish between normal and abnormal tissue in your breast.
- Advanced breast imaging: Patients at high risk for breast cancer and/or who have dense breasts may require additional breast imaging tests to clarify mammography results or provide additional supplemental screening for breast cancer. We provide leading-edge breast ultrasound and breast MRI services delivered by specialists specifically trained in these higher-level diagnostic imaging techniques.
Conditions We Evaluate with Breast Imaging & Mammography
Mammography is an invaluable tool for the early detection of breast cancer. If you are a woman age 40 or older and in good health, the American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging recommends that you have a screening mammogram every year.
A screening mammogram is for asymptomatic patients. A diagnostic mammogram may be appropriate for patients experiencing breast symptoms, such as:
- Tenderness
- Nipple discharge
- Swelling
- New lumps
- Skin changes
- A lump in the armpit
If you have these symptoms in one or both breasts, please contact your primary care provider. Your provider may order a diagnostic mammogram as well as other breast imaging tests, such as breast ultrasound or breast MRI, to identify the cause of your symptoms, assess your risk for breast cancer and guide treatment.
What to Expect During a Mammogram
Please avoid applying perfumes, powders and lotions on and around your breast and underarm area before arriving at your mammography appointment. It is fine to wear deodorant or antiperspirant. At your appointment, you will only need to undress above your waist and put on a hospital gown.
A certified mammography technologist will gently position you for the exam. Your breasts will be briefly compressed, one at a time, between two plastic plates. Flattening out the breast tissue allows us to capture the clearest images. During the brief compression of your breasts, you may feel some discomfort. Your technologist will help make you as comfortable as possible while working to take the best images of your breast tissue.
The screening mammogram procedure takes about 15 minutes.
Requesting Your Images
Use the Radiology Image Record Request form to request your imaging records.
When your request has been completed and ready for review, you will receive an email from Nuance Powershare with instructions on how to create an account. Additionally, you will receive a MyChart message containing your token code to access your images.
Awards & Certifications
American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence
Named a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology, University of Vermont Medical Center provides patients with specialized expertise and meets or exceeds rigorous standards of breast imaging care.
American College of Radiology Accreditation
UVM Medical Center has also been awarded accreditation by the American College of Radiology in Breast MRI and Breast Ultrasound — one of the first breast imaging centers in the nation to receive this prestigious award.
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
At UVM Health, we are proud to be nationally accredited in ultrasound-guided breast biopsies by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and the American College of Radiology. This certification means our services meet nationally recognized standards of clinical excellence in breast ultrasound.
Locations near you
101 Adirondack Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883
111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, McClure, Level L
Burlington, VT 05401
75 Park Street
Elizabethtown, NY 12932
111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, Main Pavilion, Level 2
Burlington, VT 05401-1473
1 South Prospect Street
Burlington, VT 05401
111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, Main Pavilion, Level 2
Burlington, VT 05401
790 College Parkway
Fanny Allen Campus
Colchester, VT 05446-3013
133 Park Street
Malone, NY 12953-1241
130 Fisher Road
Berlin, VT 05602-9516
115 Porter Drive
Middlebury, VT 05753-8423
