3D Screening Mammography

Breast experts recommend that women with no breast symptoms start screening mammograms at age 40 and repeat them annually (every 12 months). Clinical data shows that early and annual screening mammograms starting at 40 have reduced breast cancer deaths by 40% when compared to less frequent exams. Most insurance plans cover these at 100% with no physician referral needed.

Your screening mammogram will be performed by a mammography-certified, female technologist who will explain the procedure before getting started. Most appointments take less than 20 minutes. After you check in, you will be shown to a private dressing room. You will undress from the waist up and put on a gown that opens in the front. During the appointment, the technologist will position each breast in the 3D unit. Your breasts will be compressed which may cause some brief discomfort, but shouldn't be painful. Compressing or flattening the breast helps facilitate better X-rays so that the maximum amount of tissue can be examined while allowing for a lower X-ray dose.

• To help minimize discomfort, schedule your mammogram during the two weeks following your menstrual cycle, when breasts are less tender.
• Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
• If you’ve had prior mammograms, breast ultrasounds or breast MRIs at a facility other than Charlotte Radiology, you will be asked to provide contact information for the center so we can obtain these records before your scheduled appointment. Having prior records helps our Radiologists to identify any changes over time. If you would like Charlotte Radiology to request these on your behalf, please fill out our medical records release form one month prior to your scheduled appointment (it can take up to three weeks to receive records from an out of state provider).
• Please be ready to discuss medical history at your appointment, including prior surgeries, hormone use, and family or personal history of breast cancer.
• Do not wear talcum powder, deodorant, lotion or perfume under your arms or on your breasts, as these substances can make mammographic images harder to read. Deodorant will be available after your exam.
• Wear two-piece clothing so that you only have to remove your top and bra for the exam.

Charlotte Radiology breast services patients can access their mammography results via secure patient portal. If you signed up for the Breast Patient Portal at your recent appointment, your annual screening mammogram results will be posted to your Patient Portal within 1-3 days of your exam. If you need Patient Portal assistance, please email CRbreastportalhelp@charlotteradiology.com. If you did not register for the Breast Patient Portal, your mammography results may be viewable in your primary healthcare provider portal and/or sent to you and your physician in a report within a week or two.

Note: If you are called back for additional imaging in your report, don’t be alarmed! Callbacks are not uncommon. This means that additional follow-up imaging is required to confirm that an area of breast tissue is not a concern and is not breast cancer. If this is your first mammogram, additional imaging may be needed to establish a baseline for future screening, especially if you have dense or complex breast tissue.

• Ballantyne Breast Center
• Blakeney Breast Center
• Huntersville Breast Center
• Matthews Breast Center
• Monroe Breast Center
• Mooresville Breast Center
• Morehead Medical Plaza (MMP) Breast Center
• Pineville Breast Center
• Prosperity Crossing Breast Center
• Rock Hill Breast Center
• SouthPark Breast Center
• Steele Creek Breast Center
• University Breast Center

Most insurance plans cover annual 3D screening mammograms at 100%; however, we always encourage patients to check their individual benefits to confirm coverage.