If you are like most women, you probably work, run with the kids, food shop, wash, dry and fold, exercise, help with the grandchildren, pay the bills. Do too much. And ignore yourself.
All too often, harried schedules and lack of time prompt women to put off having yearly mammograms and taking charge of their health. Mammography is a proven low-risk, low-dose x-ray used to identify breast cancer
early – often one year before it is large enough to be felt as a lump. |
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Digital Mammography Unit
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The Women’s Imaging Center at Community Medical Center is designed to provide a calming, tranquil environment for women to have their annual mammograms and other breast-related diagnostic services. Community Medical Center has taken every opportunity to create an atmosphere as soothing and comfortable as possible including an off-site outpatient center dedicated to women who are having mammography and ultrasound services. The off-site location is conveniently located at 368 Lakehurst Road, Suite 102, Toms River, NJ. Free parking and easy access to the Women’s Imaging Suite make your appointment quick and convenient. At Community Medical Center in Toms River we are dedicated to preserving women’s health and making breast care a convenient and comfortable experience.
Our new Philips iu22 Ultrasound machine is available for women’s services especially breast ultrasound. This equipment was generously funded by the Community Medical Center Women’s Auxiliary. Providing breast ultrasound at our off-site location expands our diagnostic capability for breast imaging and adds the availability of ultrasound services for other examinations such as pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound. To read more about our ultrasound services, click here.Our mammography equipment has recently been upgraded to provide full field digital mammography, the latest, state-of-the-art technology available for routine and diagnostic mammography. All of our mammography units have been accredited by the American College of Radiology since 1989, and are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
A typical mammogram consists of two views of each breast in which they are positioned firmly between two plates. The procedure takes only a few minutes. If there is cause for further investigation of a lump or change in the breast your physician may refer you for breast needle localization, stereotactic biopsies and/or a high-definition ultrasound examination if necessary.
In addition, we offer double assurance to patients having a screening mammogram. After the two standard views are taken of each breast as part of the standard screening mammography protocol, the mammography films are processed by the iCAD Computer Aided Detection system. Using special processing software, it analyzes the digital images and highlights any suspicious features it finds that may warrant additional review.
This process provides patients with the additional benefit of a new technology that studies show greatly assists physicians in identifying cancer at an early stage.
Women’s Imaging at Community Medical Center offers state-of-the-art technology and diagnostic services available including:
- Ultrasound Guided Core Biopsy
- Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
The mammography program at Community Medical Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and is inspected annually by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA). The technologists and the mammography staff are all female to ensure a higher comfort level. Each technologist specializes in mammography and is registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in Mammography.
To schedule an appointment for a mammography exam, call
732-557-8146. To pre-register for your exam, call (732) 557-2550.
Our women’s imaging radiologists specialize in breast imaging – interpreting mammograms and performing needle localizations and core biopsies.
All of our mammography technologists are registered in mammography by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and licensed by the Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners.
| Age |
Breast Self Exam |
Mammography |
Physical Exam |
| 20-39 |
Once a month |
May be recommended on the basis of personal risk or need |
Every three years |
| 40+ |
Once a month |
Every year |
Every year |
- 90 percent of breast lumps are discovered by women themselves
- The earlier that breast cancer is detected, the better the outcome
- Low-dose mammography has added an important new tool in aiding the early detection of breast cancer.
- Mammography has been shown to significantly reduce breast cancer mortality by at least 30 percent in women over age 50.
A screening mammography is a safe, low dose x-ray procedure. Two pictures or views of each breast are taken to screen for early breast changes. A screening mammogram is for women who do not have current breast problems or complaints.
A diagnostic mammogram is a specialized set of x-rays. This procedure is for patients with breast problems of complaints. In addition to the routine screening views, certain special views may also be taken of the problem area. The technologist will question the patient thoroughly to provide the radiologist with pertinent breast history.
The radiologist may also request an ultrasound. You can expect to be at the Women’s Imaging Center for an hour or more to complete these studies.
Similar to standard film mammography, digital mammography uses x-rays to produce images of the breast tissue. The difference is that with digital mammography, an electronic detector replaces the cassette (film holder) and film. The electronic detector converts the x-rays to light; the light is then converted to a digitized signal which allows the breast images to be displayed on a computer monitor. The radiologist can now “manipulate” the image with tools built into the viewing software. The images can be magnified, areas of interest can be measured and the brightness and contrast can be adjusted. As with film mammography, optimal positioning and compression are critical to producing diagnostic quality images. Having a digital study is exactly like film mammography. The difference is appreciated in the shorter wait time, as there is no need to develop films in a darkroom.
- Our equipment offers the largest field of view currently available to accommodate imaging of patients with diverse breast shapes and sizes.
- Precise, accurate digital images.
- Technology which will provide enhanced, detailed imaging of the skin line, chest wall and all breast tissue types.
- The digital image is ready to be interpreted within 10 seconds versus the current processing time required for film.
- Digital mammography images will be available online, in our PACS system, allowing radiologists and referring physicians the ability to collaborate.
Preliminary results of the Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (DMIST) were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, September 2005. The large-scale, multi center trial was designed to measure differences in diagnostic accuracy between digital and film mammography. DMIST results demonstrated digital and film mammography had very similar screening accuracy. However, digital mammography was significantly better in screening women in three categories:
- Under age 50
- Any age with very dense or extremely dense breast tissue
- Any age pre- or peri- menopausal (defined as women who had a final menstrual period within 12 months of their mammogram).
- Compared with the film mammography, digital images are acquired in less than a minute.
- Breast biopsy procedures using digital mammography produce immediate images for needle placement. This permits more rapid, accurate needle placement, expediting the biopsy procedure and minimizing the discomfort.
- Superior contrast resolution of the dense breast tissue and the ability to manipulate the images.
- Computerized mammograms may be stored, easily retrieved and copied.
A stereotactic breast biopsy is a non-surgical procedure to evaluate mammographic abnormalities in the breast by removing abnormal breast tissue. It combines mammography with computer assisted needle placement.
The entire procedure takes approximately an hour. The patient lies face down on a specially designed table, which has a hole through which the breast is placed. Special images of the breast are taken and the computer precisely locates the abnormality. The skin is numbed and a biopsy needle is placed into the abnormality. Tissue samples are obtained for pathologic analysis.
Following the procedure, you may have some bruising and tenderness for a day or two. Full activity may be resumed in a couple of days.
Local anesthesia is used to numb the skin. Deep pain may be experienced during the procedure since the chest wall nerve endings are not anesthetized. Most patients experience minimal to mild pain. Some feel moderate pain and a few experience severe pain.
Only a tiny incision is made. A special Band-Aid covers this area after the procedure. Usually there is no scar.
Breast needle localization is a diagnostic procedure which uses x-rays to position a special wire in the breast to identify the precise location of abnormal breast tissue. The wire assists the surgeon with abnormal breast tissue identification in the operating room.
Any medication you are taking, including aspirin, should be discussed when you make your appointment. The day before the procedure, do not eat or drink after midnight. A two piece outfit and bra should be worn. Jewelry is best left at home. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment.
A breast needle localization takes approximately one hour. Before the procedure begins, you will need to remove your clothing from the waist up and put on a gown. The technologist will help position you on your abdomen on a special x-ray table or seat you upright in a special chair. If you are lying down, your breast will be placed through an opening in the table. Your breast will be compressed and a mammogram performed. This allows the radiologist to locate the suspicious areas. The radiologist will numb the breast tissue with a local anesthetic. You may feel a pinch at this time. The radiologist will then place a fine wire into the area of the lesion. The wire is taped to your breast. Additional x-rays will be taken. You will then proceed to surgery where the surgeon removes the suspicious area.
