Mammograms and Breast Imaging

Scripps Clinic Mission Valley

858-554-7844

O’Toole Breast Care Center

On the campus of Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego

Offering 3-D mammography

619-260-7225

Scripps Clinic Rancho San Diego

858-554-7844

Scripps Clinic Carmel Valley

858-554-7844

Scripps Memorial Encinitas Outpatient Imaging Center

Offering 3-D mammography

760-633-7967

Emily Fenton Hunte Breast Care Center

On the campus of Scripps Green

Offering 3-D mammography

858-554-4900

Dunn Breast Care Center

On the campus of Scripps Memorial La Jolla

Offering 3-D mammography

858-626-5200

Scripps Coastal Medical Center Vista

760-806-5458

Scripps Clinic Rancho Bernardo

858-554-7844

Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista Outpatient Imaging

Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista offers radiology services, including 3-D mammography, at our outpatient imaging center. 

858-626-6800

Women across San Diego choose Scripps for their mammograms because:

• Scripps mammography centers are accredited by the American College of Radiology
• Digital mammography is provided at all locations for accurate results
• Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista are designated as Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence by the American College of Radiology
• 3-D breast tomosynthesis mammography is available at select locations
• Advanced breast imaging, including breast MRI and breast specific gamma imaging (BSGI), is available for further diagnosis and treatment planning
• All mammograms are read by physicians specializing in breast imaging
• Every screening mammogram is double-checked by a computer-aided detection system for ensured accuracy

Scripps imaging providers use state-of-the-art digital imaging technology for screening and diagnostic mammograms. Digital technology allows us to provide the highest quality of care and offers:

• Lower-dose radiation exams and improved image quality
• Improved accuracy of initial screening exams
• Electronic transfer of images from one Scripps location to another — giving Scripps radiologists and physicians the ability to view reports and images online, saving time and decreasing the need for retakes

Screening mammograms are the most common type of breast imaging. These preventive tests check for changes in the breast tissue of women who do not have any abnormal signs or symptoms. A screening mammogram typically consists of two images of each breast.

Scripps follows The American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute’s recommendation to begin annual screening mammograms for women starting at age 40 and continuing as long as the woman is in good health.

Your physician may suggest starting your routine screenings at a younger age if you have known risk factors for breast cancer, such as a mother or sister with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Diagnostic mammograms are performed to examine breast changes, such as abnormal findings in a screening mammogram, lumps felt during a physical exam or visual changes to the breast and nipple. The technologist takes breast X-rays from several angles, and the suspicious area is magnified for accurate diagnosis.

A diagnostic mammogram may find that an area that looked suspicious on a screening mammogram is actually normal, or it may result in a recommendation for further testing, such as a biopsy.

A select number of Scripps breast imaging locations offer a new type of screening option called 3-D mammography or tomosynthesis. This FDA-approved form of breast imaging creates a three-dimensional image of the breast tissue, enabling the radiologist to examine the breast tissue one layer at a time.

Breast tomosynthesis is especially helpful in examining dense breast tissue and is associated with a higher cancer detection rate.

Women who have dense breasts have less fat tissue than glandular and connective tissue in their breasts. This may make it more difficult to evaluate mammogram results. Dense breast tissue is the primary reason a mammogram fails to detect cancer.

Though research estimates that about 40% of women who get a mammogram have dense breasts, most women don’t know if their breast tissue is dense or not. A new California state law now requires that facilities performing mammography screenings must notify women if they are found to have dense breast tissue based on their mammogram reading.

The law also requires screeners to tell women that dense breast tissue can make it harder to evaluate the results of a mammogram and may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Screeners can also offer alternative screening options that may be available.

Dense breast tissue is not the same as breast cancer. It simply means that additional screening may be helpful. If you are told you have dense breasts, talk to your physician about the need for additional screening. A number of imaging options are available for dense breast tissue, such as breast ultrasound and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

If you have breast implants, always tell the technologist before your mammogram. Because the X-ray technology cannot pass through silicone or saline implants, the area of breast tissue covered by the implant will not appear on the mammogram.

Women who have breast implants may need to have additional images taken in order to view as much of the breast tissue as possible. Two extra images, called implant displacement (ID) views, are taken of each breast. In these images, the implant is moved aside and the breast tissue is pulled over it. In some cases, a mammogram may reveal that an implant has ruptured. But a ruptured implant can look normal on a mammogram, so this test is not used to diagnose burst or leaking implants.

Women with breast implants should follow the same screening mammogram guidelines as women who do not have implants, based on their age and risk factors.

A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to produce pictures of the insides of the breast. Doctors sometimes order a breast ultrasound to screen for breast cancer and abnormalities in high-risk patients or women with dense breasts. Learn more about ultrasounds.

A breast MRI provides a more comprehensive picture than other imaging techniques. Doctors sometimes order a breast MRI to screen for breast cancer and abnormalities in high-risk patients. Learn more about breast MRI.

It is important to have regular screenings to detect and stop breast cancer in its tracks. Scripps recommends the following breast cancer screening exams:

• Monthly breast self-exams beginning at age 20
• Annual clinical breast exams with your physician or other health care practitioner
• Baseline mammogram at age 40 followed by annual screening mammograms — the “gold standard” for breast cancer screening guidelines supported by the American Cancer Society, the American College of Radiologists and the American College of Surgeons

Scripps provides a full range of mammography services at multiple locations throughout San Diego County.