Have you been putting off your mammogram? Many women delay having this important screening because it seems like a hassle, or they’re anxious about the procedure, or they just don’t seem to be able to fit it into their schedules. If this sounds like you, it’s time to prioritize your breast health. Make 2019 the year that you put your health first and go ahead and schedule that mammogram.

• What is a mammogram? A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray examination that can detect breast cancer s and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), an early form of breast cancer. In a mammogram, the breast is compressed so that the radiologist can get a high-quality image of the breast tissue.
• Why is a mammogram important? Early detection is the best way to beat breast cancer, and a mammogram can find breast cancer far earlier than you or your doctor will be able to feel it. While other types of breast exams, like self-exams, ultrasounds, and MRIs are also useful in detecting cancer, mammography is the only breast cancer screening tool that’s been proven to reduce deaths from DCIS. Mammograms use compression to reduce the dose of radiation necessary, prevent movement, separate the breast tissue, provide uniform thickness, and increase detail in the image, and diminish radiation to the rest of your body. 
• What can you expect from your mammogram? A mammogram typically takes about 25 to 30 minutes, including the time you’ll spend filling out paperwork about your medical history. You’ll need to be undressed from the waist up, and a specially qualified radiologic technologist will position each breast on the flat surface of the mammography unit. Your breast will be compressed with a paddle, often made of Plexiglas or another clear plastic, and the technologist will gradually compress your breast and then take images of the breast tissue. Two images are usually needed for each breast, though more may be necessary. While the images are being captured you’ll be asked to hold your breath. The exam may be a bit uncomfortable but typically, that discomfort will quickly subside once the test is over. 
• What happens next? If there are any questionable areas detected by the mammogram, the radiologist may recommend further imaging tests. You and your referring health care provider will be notified of the results and any further testing or follow-up necessary.  
• How often should you get a mammogram? For most women, a mammogram is recommended yearly. The age at which you should start getting mammograms is under debate: the American College of Radiology recommends annual screenings beginning at age 40, while the American Cancer Society leaves screenings at the discretion of the woman and her doctor between the ages of 40 and 44, with annual screenings starting at 45. Women with a high risk of breast cancer may need to begin screening much earlier.  Talk to your doctor for advice on what’s best for you.

If you need a mammogram or other diagnostic screening, Salem Radiology can help. Established in 1974, we are the largest radiology group in the area and offer a depth of specialization among our doctors that you would expect to find only at major university medical centers. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call (503) 399-1262 or contact us through our website. 

For most people, the term “ultrasound” conjures up the image of excited new parents seeing images of their baby while it’s still inside the mother’s uterus. The truth is, though, ultrasound is an important tool that helps doctors see what’s happening inside a person’s body. While it’s used in pregnancy, it also has a wide range of other uses, including diagnosis, visualization, and even therapy for certain conditions. If your doctor has ordered an ultrasound, here’s what you need to know.

• Ultrasound imaging works by using sound waves. Through a small transducer placed directly on the skin, the ultrasound transmits high-frequency sound waves into the body. The sounds that bounce back are collected by the transducer and used to create an image of the body’s internal organs in real time.
• There are different types of ultrasounds. Traditional ultrasounds show images in thin, flat sections of the body, while three-dimensional ultrasounds format sound waves into 3-D images. Doppler ultrasounds, also known as Doppler ultrasonography, allow doctors to see blood flow through arteries and veins. There are three different types of Doppler ultrasounds: color Doppler, which shows the speed and direction of blood flow by using different colors, power Doppler, which is more sensitive than color Doppler but doesn’t show the direction of blood flow, and spectral Doppler, which shows blood flow graphically instead of in a color picture. Spectral Doppler ultrasounds can also convert blood flow information into sound.  
• Ultrasound technology is non-invasive. It doesn’t require needles or incisions and doesn’t expose patients to radiation the way X-rays and CT scans do. Ultrasounds are painless and have no known harmful effects. They’re also less expensive than many other types of imaging. 
• Ultrasounds are extremely useful. They can be used to examine the heart and blood vessels, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, uterus, ovaries, thyroid glands, scrotum, and even babies in utero. In addition to diagnostic use, ultrasound imaging can help guide doctors during procedures like needle biopsies and biopsy of breast cancer.  
• To prepare for an ultrasound, there’s not much you need to do. For some scans, you may be asked not to eat or drink for twelve hours before your appointment. Sometimes, a doctor will request that the patient drink six to eight glasses of water two hours before the procedure, and avoid urinating to ensure that the bladder will be full. Your doctor will give you specific instructions for your type of ultrasound. The exam usually only takes thirty minutes to an hour.

If you need ultrasound imaging or other diagnostic screening, Salem Radiology can help. Established in 1974, we are the largest radiology group in the area and offer a depth of specialization among our doctors that you would expect to find only at major university medical centers. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call (503) 399-1262 or contact us through our website. 

Chances are you’ve heard of radiology which is the science that deals with X-rays and other medical technology that uses high-energy radiation to diagnose and/or treat disease. Not as many people are familiar with the concept of diagnostic radiology though. The word diagnostic simply means the practice or techniques of diagnosis. The term diagnostic radiology refers to a variety of methods that use non-invasive techniques to help identify or monitor diseases.

A variety of tests can be performed using equipment that often involves low doses of radiation. These tests create highly detailed images of areas of the body that are more difficult to diagnose without using diagnostic radiology. This allows the doctors to make a more accurate diagnosis using these detailed images and eliminates the guesswork that is sometimes a result of not being able to see such detail.

The science of diagnostic radiology can be used to identify many different medical conditions including heart conditions, blood clots, broken bones, gastrointestinal conditions, and more. Medical professionals can also utilize diagnostic radiology to monitor how your body responds to a treatment you are currently undergoing. The technology is also used to screen for certain diseases like breast or colon cancer.

There are different types of machines used in diagnostic radiology, but the most common include:

• X-ray machine – Utilizes X-rays which are a type of electromagnetic radiation and produces images of the interior of your body without any incisions being made.
• CT scanner – This machine utilizes X-ray equipment and creates a sequence of cross-sectional images of your body. This procedure is more common when the doctor requires highly detailed images.
• MRI machine – This machine utilizes a magnetic field and produces images of the inside of your body. It’s most often used for bones or other areas of the body that CT scanners are not as effective on.

To learn more about diagnostic radiology and how it can help you, contact Salem Radiology at (503) 399-1262.