Breast Imaging & Mammography

Breast imaging & mammography at the UVM Medical Center

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. 

The University of Vermont Medical Center offers you the full range of breast imaging services, from annual screening mammograms to diagnostic mammography and breast ultrasounds, breast MRIs and breast biopsies.  

We offer: 

• Experience that matters: At the UVM Medical Center, we use leading-edge digital equipment to perform the highest volume of exams in our service area. Studies have shown that the more mammograms a radiologist reads, the better they are able to interpet them, which ultimately leads to better cancer detection for patients. 
• Outstanding clinical expertise: Our dedicated breast imaging physicians work closely with skilled mammography technologists, breast ultrasound sonographers and medical assistants to produce the highest quality diagnostic images. These committed professionals strive to keep you as comfortable and relaxed as possible during your breast imaging procedure. 
• 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 than traditional 2D digital mammography. Aiding in the detection of cancer, this advanced test allows us to better distinguish between normal and abnormal tissue in your breast for the most accurate test results. 
• Advanced breast imaging: Women and men at high risk for breast cancer and/or who have dense breasts may require additional breast imaging tests to clarify mammography results. The UVM Medical Center features leading-edge breast ultrasound and breast MRI services delivered by specialists specifically trained in these higher-level diagnostic imaging techniques.   

Conditions we treat with breast imaging and 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 Cancer Society recommends you have a mammogram every year.  

A screening mammogram is for patients without 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, or have dense breasts and other risk factors for breast cancer, please contact your primary care provider. Your doctor 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.  

Awards and certifications

American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence  

Named a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology, the UVM Medical Center provides patients with specialized expertise and meets or exceeds rigorous standards of breast imaging care.  

American College of Radiology Accreditation 

The UVM Medical Center has also been awarded accreditation by the American College of Radiology in Breast MRI — one of the first breast imaging centers in the nation to receive this prestigious award.