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Mammograms and the COVID-19 vaccine

Based on guidance from the Society of Breast Imaging, Baylor Scott & White recommends that patients schedule their routine screening mammogram either before receiving their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine or at least four weeks after receiving their final COVID-19 immunization. *This recommendation applies only to routine screening mammograms and not diagnostic mammograms.

*In some cases, part of the body’s natural response showing that the COVID-19 vaccine is working is temporary swelling of tissue in the armpit. While this temporary swelling is harmless, it can interfere with the quality of a screening mammogram.

Schedule your screening mammogram with confidence

Our team members are taking many steps to protect your safety, including:

  • Asking all patients and staff to wear masks—this may be a cloth mask brought from home
  • Screening all patients at the time of scheduling and at time of appointment
  • Kindly asking all visitors to wait outside of the center
  • Limiting the number of patients in the center at the same time by reducing the number of appointments and expanding Saturday hours
  • You may receive a phone call to pre-register before your scheduled appointment to reduce wait time in the center
  • Limiting seating in lobbies and waiting areas
  • Thoroughly cleaning waiting areas, exam rooms, and equipment with disinfectants recommended by the CDC
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HIGH-RISK BREAST SCREENING PROGRAM

Knowledge is power—a comprehensive approach to identifying and monitoring risk

About the program

Total breast care

Most women will experience some type of breast problem during their lifetime. The good news is that most breast disorders are not cancerous. However, your chance of developing breast cancer increases as you get older. That's why breast cancer screenings and examinations are so important—and where you go for these breast care services makes a difference.

While more than 300,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year according to the American Cancer Society, there are also many other breast health concerns.

Common breast conditions include:

  • Breast calcifications
  • Breast cysts
  • Breast lumps
  • Breast nipple discharge
  • Breast pain
  • Dense breasts​​​
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Are you 40 or above?

Mammograms are the best available screening test for breast cancer and could save your life

Discover how

Breast cancer screen​​ing recommendations

 

According to the American Cancer Society, early screening saves lives. Mammograms are the most effective and important early breast cancer detection method.

 
  • All women: monthly breast self-exam
  • Women age 20 and older: clinical breast exam at annual physical
  • Women age 40 and older: yearly mammogram and clinical breast exam
  • Women at high risk for breast cancer: yearly MRI and mammogram

Risk factors

Your risk for breast cancer goes up the older you get.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Hispanic women, and more common in African American women under age 45.

5-10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary, resulting directly from gene defects.

First-degree relationships (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer doubles your risk, but 75% of women diagnosed have no family history.

Overweight or obese women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Women with dense tissue in their breasts are 1.4x more likely to develop cancer.

Reasons to schedule a mammogram
#1 Breast cancer is the most common cancer in U.S. women
1 in 8 One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime
98% Survival is better than 98% for women whose cancer is found early
40% Yearly mammograms can reduce the risk of dying of breast cancer by 40%
40 The age women can begin screening mammograms (or earlier for high risk)
1 in 6 One in six breast cancers occurs in women in their 40s

The Power of 2 Challenge

We want to empower women to take control of their health by conveniently scheduling their mammograms centers. By getting your mammogram and challenging a friend, you double its impact. That's what we call The Power of 2.

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Billing assistance

If you have questions related to your breast imaging services, we’re here to help

Find billing assistance

Breast imaging services

Baylor Scott & White Health's breast imaging centers in hospitals and facilities in North and Central Texas provide screening and diagnostic services along with consultation, education and treatment options for breast cancer. Many of our centers are designated by the American College of Radiology (ACR) as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

  • Breast cancer risk assessment
  • Image-guided breast biopsy
  • Stereotactic breast biopsy
  • Lesion localization
  • Mammography (screening and diagnostic)
  • 3D mammography (available at select locations)
  • Full-field digital mammography
  • Bone density screening (physician's order required, no online scheduling)

  • We are here to support you through a breast cancer diagnosis

    Just diagnosed? When you receive a breast cancer diagnosis, it can be the beginning of an emotional and confusing journey. Baylor Scott & White is here with you every step of the way of your breast cancer care journey.

    Explore our cancer support services
Patient education videos and brochures
Know your breast health Better

From common breast conditions to imaging tests, we want you to feel informed about your health. Check out the resources available to help you learn more about these topics.

Brochures

 

Videos

Mammography overview

Screening mammograms are an excellent tool in the fight against breast cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in women today.

With regular screening mammograms, a great number of breast cancers can be detected early and effectively treated. Most women should start getting annual mammograms at age 40.

Schedule your mammogram every year and encourage other women to do the same. You might just save a life—including your own!

Video still of patient undergoing a mammogram

Diagnostic mammography

Both screening and diagnostic mammography are performed with the same machine. A screening mammogram is performed as a preventative exam when there are no symptoms or known problems in the breasts. A diagnostic mammogram is performed for a symptom or potential abnormality of a breast or breasts.

Symptoms may include a lump you can feel, changes in the skin of the breast or nipple, and nipple discharge.

Breast pain is common and rarely associated with cancer, but pain in a specific area that does not go away or continues to worsen should be further investigated.

Video still of patient being given mammography instructions

Ultrasound-guided biopsy

An ultrasound-guided breast biopsy is a relatively quick, low invasive, and low-risk procedure performed by a radiologist to sample a suspicious lesion that is visible by ultrasound within the breast.

Prior to the procedure, local anesthetic is administered to the breast tissue surrounding the lesion until it is numb. The radiologist then makes a small nick in the skin, advances the biopsy device to the lesion, and takes a few small tissue samples all while visualizing the area with ultrasound.

The tissue samples are sent to a pathologist for review.

Video still radiologist reviewing an MRI

Stereotactic breast biopsy

A stereotactic breast biopsy is a type of needle biopsy that samples tissue from an abnormal area in your breast to determine what caused the abnormality on your mammogram.

This type of biopsy is usually recommended when the abnormality is not able to be felt and is not visible using an ultrasound. The breast to be biopsied is held in compression similar to a mammogram.

Two pictures are taken at different angles which allows a computer to calculate the exact location where the needle should be placed. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area prior to the biopsy. Tissue samples are then sent to a pathologist for review.

Video still of Dr. Krakos with patient undergoing stereotactic breast biopsy

Breast MRI

Breast MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is a non-invasive imaging test that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create images of the breasts.

It requires an intravenous injection of a contrast agent which allows the radiologist to look at the blood flow pattern to the breasts. The computer then creates a series of pictures of the breasts that contain detailed information on both anatomy and blood flow.

Because it evaluates both anatomy and blood flow, MRI sometimes finds abnormal areas that are not seen on mammography or sonogram.

Video still of Dr. Fitzpatrick performing ultra-sound guided biopsy

Everything you need to know about your mammogram

Frequently Asked Questions

Routine screening mammograms do not require an order from a referring physician. However, if you are having new breast problems, have a recent history of breast cancer or need a follow-up to a previous mammogram, an order is required from your referring physician.
While mammograms don’t prevent breast cancer, they can save lives by detecting breast abnormalities without signs or symptoms in their earliest stages. Early detection reduces the risk of dying from the disease by 25-30% or more.
The American College of Radiologists and Society of Breast Surgeons recommend women begin their annual breast cancer screenings at age 40.
On the day of your mammogram, please do not use any lotions, powders or deodorant in the underarm or breast area. Because you will have to undress from the waist up, we suggest you wear a comfortable 2-piece outfit.
You’ll need to bring your driver’s license and proof of insurance, if applicable. The Affordable Care Act dictates that routine screening mammograms be given without a co-pay or deductible. If this is not your first mammogram, also bring your previous images or have them sent to the facility prior to your appointment for comparison purposes. We can help you with this process if needed.
Discomfort during a mammogram varies from patient to patient. Most women, however, tolerate the exam well. The technologist will work with you to try to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
Mammograms do use a small amount of radiation, but special care is taken to make sure it’s the lowest amount possible. For most women, the benefits of mammography outweigh the potential risk of radiation exposure.
3D mammography, also known as tomosynthesis, produces 3D images of your breast tissue in 1 mm slices, allowing for greater visibility of breast tissue. It can be done in conjunction with the traditional 2D mammogram. State law now requires that 3D screenings be covered by insurance in most instances. Please confirm with your insurance company regarding these benefits.
All women who are eligible for traditional 2D mammograms are also eligible for 3D mammography. Additionally, research has shown that 3D mammography is particularly helpful for women with dense breasts. However, we recommend that you check with your insurance provider to ensure it is covered under your plan.
In most cases, screening mammograms are read within a few hours of your exam. Your results will be provided by email. If an email address is not provided, a paper copy will be mailed to your home.
Screenings are meant to detect abnormalities that might exist. When abnormalities or changes in the appearance of the breast tissue are detected, additional mammography images and/or ultrasound may be required. In most cases, such abnormalities do not indicate breast cancer.
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