Screening mammography is used to detect breast cancer in women who have no specific signs or symptoms of breast abnormalities. The goal is to detect breast cancer as early as possible before a patient or her physician notices a change in her breast. When breast cancer is identified early, the cure rate is very high. The American Cancer Society, American College of Radiology, and the Society of Breast Imaging recommend that all women have annual screening mammograms beginning at age 40. Women at high risk may benefit from starting earlier.

At RIMI, we perform all of our mammograms on state-of-the-art digital mammography equipment, most of which utilize 3D technology and tomosynthesis imaging. This technology allows for more accurate detection of breast abnormalities, particularly in patients with dense breasts. The more comprehensive and detailed images allow fewer call backs for our patients.

A screening mammogram consists of two standard views of each breast, for a total of four images. The breasts are compressed during the exam to reduce motion, spread out the breast tissue, and limit the number of X-rays necessary to penetrate the breasts. This ensures the best possible images. The radiation dose of a screening mammogram is minimal. Please see the Mammography Safety tab if you would like to read more about radiation dosage.

Screening mammograms take approximately 15 minutes. These mammograms are performed by technologists with advanced training and certification in breast imaging. The images are then reviewed by our team of dedicated breast imaging radiologists.

During a screening mammogram, a patient’s breast will also be assigned a breast density. Read more about Dense Breasts below.

Screening mammograms are usually read within 24 hours and the final report is then sent to the patient’s doctor as soon as possible. Patients can expect to receive a copy of the report in the mail.  If a screening mammogram is normal, patients will be asked to come back in a year for their next annual mammogram.

Additional imaging also known as a diagnostic mammogram could be needed. Read more about Diagnostic Mammograms below.

For additional information, go to the American College of Radiology’s mammographysaveslives.org.

Diagnostic mammograms read by RIMI’s dedicated breast imaging radiologists on site at the same time your exam is performed. Patients typically receive their results during their visit. Our radiologists are available to answer questions about the findings.

A diagnostic mammogram is performed when:

• The radiologist requests additional imaging after a screening mammogram, focusing on an area in question using specialized views and techniques.
• A patient needs to have breast symptoms evaluated. For example, a lump in the breast, breast pain, nipple discharge, or for changes in your nipple or skin.
• The last mammogram or sonogram showed a finding that is being closely followed.

Diagnostic mammograms are performed at our RIMI offices in East Greenwich, Johnston, Providence, and East Providence (Veterans Memorial Parkway).

Some women have dense breast tissue, which can make it more difficult to detect cancer on a mammogram. For these women, RIMI offers whole breast screening ultrasound to supplement their annual screening mammogram. Read more about Breast Density below.

After a diagnostic mammogram, the radiologist often requests an ultrasound of the area in question for a complete evaluation. As with diagnostic mammography, diagnostic breast ultrasounds are read by RIMI’s dedicated breast radiologists same day and patients receive their results during their appointment.

Breast MRI is used for many purposes in breast imaging:

• To screen women with an elevated lifetime risk of breast cancer (less than 20% of all patients).
• For women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer to evaluate the extent of the disease and for treatment planning.
• For further evaluation in the rare situation that neither mammography or ultrasound is able to provide a diagnosis.

Breasts are made up of fibrous and glandular tissue, along with fatty tissue. Those with more fibrous or glandular tissue than fatty tissue, have breasts that may be considered dense. Although density may decrease with age, most women will not demonstrate significant changes in their density over time.

Radiologist rank breasts in one of four categories of mammographic density:

• Non Dense
  • Fatty (10% of women)
  • Scattered (40% of women)
• Dense
  • Heterogeneous (40% of women)
  • Extremely (10% of women)

Having dense breast tissue may increase your risk of getting breast cancer and may also make it more difficult to spot a small breast cancer on your screening mammogram. Studies have shown that a screening breast ultrasound or a breast MRI can help find breast cancers that may not be seen on mammograms. They may also present more findings that are not cancerous. 

If you have dense breasts, please consult your doctor to determine if additional screening exams are right for you. If your breasts are not dense, but you’re at high risk (for example, you have a family history of breast cancer, prior chest radiation, or a previously biopsied high-risk lesion), you may qualify for additional screening. Even if you are at low risk, you should still have your annual screening mammogram starting at the age of 40. The cost of an ultrasound or MRI may not be covered by your insurance. 

All RIMI breast MRIs are performed at the Randall Square location in Providence.

RIMI’s mammography equipment produces high quality breast images using very low doses of radiation.

The level of radiation in today’s mammograms does not increase the risk of breast cancer for women who receive annual screening mammography. The benefits of early detection and treatment of breast cancer far outweigh the potential harm from a mammogram’s very low dose radiation exposure.

At RIMI, we follow strict guidelines and conduct frequent inspections to ensure our equipment is safe and utilizes the lowest radiation dose possible to produce high quality images.