Breast Imaging, also called mammography, is an x-ray exam of the breasts. Its purpose is to look for early signs of breast cancer. According to the Center for Disease Control, a mammogram is the best way to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. Yearly screening mammograms are recommended for women beginning at age 40.

In a continuous effort to provide the latest in breast health technology, McLeod Breast Imaging has installed two digital mammography units, the first of its kind for Florence County.

While standard film mammography creates an image directly on film, digital mammography takes an electronic image and stores it directly in a computer. Digital mammography holds many benefits. The images are extremely clear and detailed with improved contrast, and significantly less time is required to process the images during a digital mammography exam, compared to traditional film imaging. In addition, digital mammography may detect some lesions which could be missed by a conventional film system.

Currently, only eight percent of the mammography centers in the United States provide digital systems. The installment of these two units at McLeod Regional Medical Center makes digital mammography more accessible to residents of the community, and assists McLeod in the fight against breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related death for women in the United States.

McLeod Breast Imaging and the McLeod Breast Health Center are located on the first floor of the McLeod Pavilion. Registration for McLeod Breast Imaging is located within the department, allowing for complete patient confidentiality. Saturday appointments are also available for screening mammography.

McLeod Breast Imaging also features the R2 Image Checker. The R2 Image Checker is a computer-aided detection system used for the reading of mammograms. The system is designed to complement human observation. It also acts as a secondary reader, identifying regions of interest for the Radiologist. The R2 Image Checker is 98 percent accurate in identifying calcifications (calcium deposits in the breast), and 86 percent accurate in identifying masses (lumps or lesions). "This system picks up things that cannot be seen by the naked eye," said Dr. Bruce White, Medical Director of McLeod Breast Imaging Center. "Because of this, 15 percent more breast cancers can now be detected and with early detection, breast cancer can usually be treated sooner with better patient outcomes."

A mammogram is an exam in which the breast(s) are imaged during compression in four views (2 pictures of each breast). Patients with implants require extra views in order to image breast tissue around or behind the implant. You should not wear deodorant, powder, or lotion because it may show up on the images and give a false reading. Also, you should come dressed in a two piece outfit (only the top is removed for the exam). If you have had prior mammograms at another facility, it is strongly recommended that you either bring the prior films to the appointment or have them mailed to McLeod Breast Imaging before the exam date for comparison purposes.

McLeod Breast Imaging is accredited by the American College of Radiologists and provides the following types of tests/services:

• Screening mammograms (no physician order is required for this test)
• Diagnostic mammograms
• Breast ultrasounds, including core biopsies and cyst aspirations
• Ductography
• Mammotomes (vacuum-assisted biopsies)
• Wire localizations (wire placement prior to surgery)
• Clip placement (for marking pre and post radiation treatment)
• Sentinel Node Mapping (abnormal lymph nodes)

Location: The McLeod Breast Health Center and McLeod Breast Imaging are located on the First Floor of the McLeod Pavilion, 801 East Cheves Street, Florence.

To schedule an appointment, please call McLeod Reservations and Scheduling at (843) 777-2095.

For the information about the Mobile Mammography Unit, click here.