Diagnostic Services

Mammography and Women's Imaging

St. Peter's Breast Center offers the most advanced breast diagnostic technology including:

• Mammography - is a low-dose X-ray that usually consists of multiple views of the breast. Mammography screenings can detect early signs of cancer that may be too small or subtle to feel. St. Peter’s Health Partners offers 2-D and 3-D mammograms.
• 3-D Mammography - is today’s most advanced imaging technology to view abnormalities of the breast. It is often used when patients have dense breasts, have a high-risk of cancer, have a family history of cancer, or are called back for additional testing. Please check with your health insurance to see what services are covered. If you would like a 3-D mammogram but insurance will not pay for it, then you can pay a flat rate fee.
• Breast MRI - (magnetic resonance imaging) is very effective at detecting small breast cancers in younger women and for staging cancer development.
• Breast ultrasound - is often used as a follow-up test after an abnormal finding on a mammogram, breast MRI or clinical breast exam.
• Bone Densitometry (Dexa) - bone density testing uses low-energy X-ray to measure the mineral content of the bones in your hips and spine to determine their thickness and strength. It is used to diagnose bone health and risk for osteoporosis.

A timely mammogram is a powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer. It can help spot breast cancer early, long before it causes symptoms, when treatment works best.

Breast Biopsy

Following an abnormal finding, a patient may need to undergo a biopsy to determine the type and staging of the tumor. During a biopsy, samples of breast tissue are removed for testing. The most effective and least invasive approach is determined for each patient. Types of biopsy include:

• Stereotactic biopsy
• Ultrasound-guided biopsy
• MRI-guided biopsy
• Surgical biopsy