Breast Cancer Screening at Adventist Health Glendale

Early detection is often the best defense against breast cancer. At Adventist Health Glendale, we encourage women to screen for breast cancer using the three basic methods of detection: Breast self-exam, clinical breast exam and screening mammography.

Screening Guidelines

Breast self-exam – Women should be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel. Starting in their 20s, women are encouraged to check their own breasts regularly for any signs of unusual lumps, bumps, changes in size or shape, unusual skin thickening, rash, nipple discharge, etc. The underarms should also be checked for unusual lumps.

Clinical breast exam – A clinical breast exam is conducted by a doctor or other qualified health care practitioner. The exam should be performed every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women age 40 and older. Ask your physician about a breast exam to help with the prevention of breast cancer.

Screening mammography – A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast. Screening mammograms are used to look for lumps or irregularities in the breasts that cannot be felt. Women should get a mammogram every year starting at age 40 for the best protection against breast cancer.

Mammography at Adventist Health Glendale

Adventist Health Glendale offers mammograms using the latest in digital technology, including 3D, with caring, compassionate staff to help guide you throughout the procedure. Our team of technicians will explain details of the exam and answer any questions to make you feel more comfortable during the process.

Additional Screening Options

Breast Ultrasound – Breast ultrasound produces images of the breasts using sound waves and can be used along with mammography to look for lumps or irregularities in the breasts that cannot be felt. Annual screening breast ultrasound is particularly useful for women with “dense” breasts. “Dense” breasts contain a lower proportion of fat tissue and a higher proportion of glandular tissue, which makes it harder for x-rays to penetrate to detect cancer.

Breast MRI – MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, produces very detailed images of breast tissue. Because it is so sensitive, MRI can cause areas of the breasts that are normal to appear abnormal. However, annual screening MRI is recommended for women who have a lifetime risk for breast cancer greater than 20% and is used to detect cancer in its earliest stages in these high risk patients. For women who are at average risk for breast cancer, mammography with or without ultrasound remains the standard in breast cancer screening.

Don’t wait—schedule your mammogram today!
To schedule a mammogram at Adventist Health Glendale, call 818-409-8192.