Digital Mammography
At Westlake Hospital, we understand how busy you are, and we value your time as well as your health. That’s why we offer easy scheduling and a convenient location.
Appointments are available six days a week. Women can generally get in for appointments within 24 to 48 hours (with written order from a physician). Call 708-938-7755 - give yourself peace of mind.
The key to finding – and fighting - breast cancer is early detection. One of your best defenses in early detection of breast cancer is a mammogram, and here at Westlake Hospital, we offer one of the most advanced imaging technologies available to screen for breast cancer:Digital Mammography.
What does digital mammography mean to you? It means:
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Improved imaging - With digital mammography, the magnification, orientation, brightness, and contrast of the image helps the radiologist clearly see certain areas.
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Less patient exposure to radiation - the radiation dose can be reduced by up to 50% with digital mammography and still detect breast cancer as well as the standard radiation dose of film mammography.
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Reduced exam time - Digital spot view mammography allows faster and more accurate stereotactic biopsy. This results in shorter examination times and significantly improved patient comfort and convenience since the time the patient must remain still is much shorter.
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A built-in “second opinion” - Digital mammography is used in conjunction with a computer aided detection system – often referred to as a second opinion – that identifies potential concerns even before the radiologist views the results.
Digital mammography is particularly beneficial for women with dense or thick breasts, women under age 50, and pre- and peri-menopausal women.
Why are mammogram screenings important:
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80% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer have no history of it in their family and your risk increases with age.
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Two-thirds of newly diagnosed breast cancers show no signs that the cancer has spread beyond the breast, and most women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer are candidates for treatment that saves the breast.
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Research has shown that breast cancer deaths for African American women was 68% higher than non-African Americans and were shown to have more aggressive tumors. Learn more about this research by clicking here.
Accredited imaging specialists
The Women’s Imaging Center offers the personal touch of a trusted community hospital and the high-tech resources of a comprehensive medical center. Westlake Radiologists, Technologists and staff are patient-focused and provide all services in compliance with the American Osteopathic Association, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR).