Breast Center

The Breast Center at AHMC Anaheim Regional Medical Center is committed to providing the most advanced, comprehensive, and convenient breast care for women. Our experienced staff strives to provide patients with compassionate care in a warm, friendly environment that combined with state-of-the-art digital imaging technologies for breast screening and diagnosis.

We offer routine annual screening mammograms as well as diagnostic mammograms for women who are at an increased risk, or may have a breast symptom. Breast ultrasounds and biopsies are also available for further imaging and diagnostic purposes.

Every examination conducted is interpreted by physicians who are certified by the American Board of Radiology and have advanced fellowship training in breast imaging. All of our services are performed with efficiency and accuracy in mind, but we also seek to detect, diagnose, and treat breast cancer in a caring collaborative effort, treating the whole patient.

The Breast Center at AHMC Anaheim Regional Medical Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology and the FDA, meeting the highest standards of the radiology profession.

For more information on our comprehensive breast care services and breast health please contact us:

The Breast Center
1211 W. La Palma Ave., Suite 104
Anaheim, CA 92801
(714) 999-6134

Breast Imaging and Diagnostic Services

Digital Mammogram
Breast Ultrasound
Breast Biopsy
Fine Needle Aspiration
Needle Localized Biopsy with Wire Localization
Stereotactic Biopsy
Ultrasound Guided Biopsy
DEXA Bone Density Testing
State-Of-The-Art Digital Mammography

A traditional mammogram is an imaging technique that uses X-rays to view the tissues inside the breast. These pictures can reveal a lump or digital mammography machine microcalcifications (small clusters of calcium specks) long before they are large enough to be detected. This can help find cancer in the earlier stages, when it may be easier to treat.

In 2000, digital mammography was approved by the United States FDA and has been utilized by breast centers nationwide in conducting screening and diagnostic services.

At The Breast Center at AHMC Anaheim Regional Medical Center, we use the new Hologic Selenia digital mammography system (as seen to the right) to provide our patients with the highest quality care, with approvals and certifications by the American College of Radiology and the FDA.

Instead of producing traditional x-ray films, digital mammography systems produce digital images that can be displayed on high resolution monitors. Digital mammography also provides the following advantages over x-ray film:

Better visibility because of the increased ability to adjust the contrast, brightness, and magnification.
Imagery is more reliable because digital mammography is less sensitive to exposure variations, so the need for retakes is reduced.
Digital imagery is stored electronically, making it easier to store, duplicate and transmit.
Time is saved in transmission, as digital imagery can be instantly sent from one location to another.

Screening Mammogram

A screening mammogram is recommended for women who do not have any signs or symptoms of breast cancer. According to The National Cancer Institute, a diagnostic mammogram or other imaging tests may be ordered by a physician to learn more if a mammogram shows an abnormality.

Women ages 40 and above should have mammograms every 1 or 2 years. This is important as the chance that a woman will develop breast cancer increases with her age.

Women who are under the age of 40 and have risk factors for breast cancer should consult their physician about getting a mammogram.

Diagnostic Mammogram

A diagnostic mammogram is used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other sign or symptom of breast cancer has been found.

These signs include:

Change in breast size/shape
Nipple discharge
Pain
Skin thickening

Diagnostic mammograms can provide clearer, more detailed images of the abnormality detected during the screening mammogram. They may also be used to detect any changes found since the time the screening mammogram was performed.

Breast Ultrasound

In addition to a mammogram, your physician may recommend a breast ultrasound. An ultrasound allows clinicians to get a more comprehensive view of breast tissues and chest walls to determine the causes of a breast symptom. A Breast ultrasound is also beneficial to clinicians in ascertaining the nature of a breast lump, which may be a fluid filled cyst or a solid mass.

During a breast ultrasound, a clinician will spread lubricating jelly across the area to be examined and then move a hand held device across the area, known as a transducer, to direct the sound waves through the tissues. These waves are reflected back, passing through the transducer, and back to the monitor, where they create an image.

Breast Biopsy

A physician may call for a biopsy after a breast exam, mammogram, or ultrasound, in order to determine a diagnosis.

Fine Needle Aspiration

In order to evaluate a lump further, a small amount of fluid is removed by using a needle. The removed portion is then studied by pathologists. This procedure can give clinicians the clearest information about the nature of the lump. If the results indicate that the lump is a cyst, then the fluid can be drained out, and may relieve symptoms of pain or discomfort. If the lump is not a cyst, a different type of biopsy may be performed.

Needle Localized Breast Biopsy and Wire Localization
Needle localization biopsies and wire localizations are used to pinpoint the correct location of a breast abnormality for a surgeon, who will use the wire as a guide to the lump that needs to be removed. This procedure involves inserting a thin needle at the site of the abnormality; then, a fine wire is fed through and lodged in the target tissue to be removed. To ensure that the wire is at the correct location, another mammogram is taken and the wire is repositioned if necessary. The wire will be removed along with the area that is biopsied during surgery.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

A stereotactic breast biopsy is used to take samples from a lump that can be seen on a mammogram or an ultrasound but cannot be felt during a breast exam. This procedure is less invasive than a surgical biopsy.

Ultrasound Guided Biopsy

This is a procedure that uses ultrasounds to guide a biopsy needle into the area of the breast tissue where a lump is that needs to be removed. Once removed, the sample is taken to pathology to be examined further. Ultrasound guided biopsies are utilized when a breast abnormality can be seen on mammograms or ultrasounds but cannot be felt through a breast exam.

Osteoporosis & DEXA Bone Density Testing

illustrations of normal bone and bone with osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a silent, progressive disease characterized by decreased bone density and increased bone fragility -- the consequences of which lead to high susceptibility to fractures. Women are at the greatest risk. One in two women over the age of 50 have Osteoporosis, yet nearly 80% remain undiagnosed because symptoms do not occur until much bone strength is lost.

Men and women lose bone strength as they grow older, but women have higher risk for osteoporosis because they frequently have smaller, thinner frames. The risk for women increases greatly following menopause, with the decrease in bone-protecting estrogen.

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis include:

Advanced age
Alcohol & tobacco use
Certain medicines (such as steroids or anticonvulsants)
Early Menopause
Family history of Osteoporosis
History of bone fractures
History of eating disorders
Lack of exercise
Low calcium diet
Small, thin frame
DEXA Bone Density Testing at The Breast Center

The Breast Center offers DEXA Bone Density Testing to determine the density of dexa bone density scanyour bones. Using small amounts of x-ray to measure the amount of bone mineral in your spine, hip or entire body, DEXA is a convenient and painless test that enables our staff to identify whether you are at risk for fracture -- providing accurate bone density results within just a few minutes.

DEXA compares your bone mineral density (BMD) to that of a "young adult" at peak bone strength. It also compares your results to people of your same age group. This information, along with other factors, helps your physician assess your risk of osteoporotic fracture.

What does the test involve?

The bone densitometer has a large, padded examination table. You will be asked to lie on your back, wearing your own clothing in most cases. The technologist positions your arms and legs for the test; then, you simply lie still and breathe normally. A radiologist interprets your scan and sends a written report to your physician.