Salem Hospital encourages women to increase their odds against breast cancer by following the three steps of the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute's early detection guidelines:

Mammography Services
Mammography is one of the most effective methods for detecting early breast cancer. Mammography is a safe, low-dose X-ray procedure that can reveal changes in your breast so small you and your physician won't be able to feel them for up to two years.

At Salem Hospital, we've created a comfortable, private setting where women can relax and feel good about taking caring of their health. In our Outpatient Imaging Center, an area dedicated just for mammograms was designed with women in mind. Our mammography services are accredited by the American College of Radiology and certified by the Food and Drug Administration. This means we meet or exceed the highest standards for staff qualifications, equipment and quality assurance programs.

Is Mammography Appropriate For You?
Recently the American Cancer Society changed its mammography guidelines to one simple recommendation:

Women Age 40 And Over Should Get Annual Mammograms.

Research has proved that more lives will be saved if women in their 40s get mammograms every year, rather than every one to two years.

Talk to your doctor about beginning a program of regular mammography that is appropriate for you. For more information about mammography, call Salem Hospital's Outpatient Imaging Center.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
Each year approximately half a million American women undergo surgery for biopsies of the breast. For most women, however, open surgery is not required to achieve a successful biopsy. A procedure called stereotactic breast biopsy has proved an effective alternative to open surgery .

Why a Biopsy?
Surgical and needle biopsies are performed when a radiologist detects an area of concern in a woman's mammogram. Mammograms are effective at finding abnormalities in breast tissue; however, they can't indicate if abnormalities are benign or malignant (cancerous). This is only determined by a biopsy, which enables the physician to obtain and study samples of the suspicious tissue to see if cancer is present.

About Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
Until a few years ago, biopsies were all performed in an operating room with a formal surgery called open biopsy, during which a large sample of breast tissue was removed for examination. Today, stereotactic needle biopsy is the preferred alternative for many women. This is a lower cost, safe and simple needle procedure which results in the removal of only a small sample of tissue and causes little discomfort. Highly accurate, needle biopsy leaves no disfiguring scars. In fact, the incision is so small stitches are not required to close it.

Needle biopsy is performed by Salem Hospital radiologists and requires no more than an hour of your time. Many women are able to return to work or their normal activities immediately after the procedure.

Ask Your Doctor
When a breast biopsy procedure is recommended, you should be informed about all of your options. Talk to your doctor about stereotactic breast biopsy to see if it's an option for you.

Clinical Breast Examination