In the United States, one in eight women will develop breast cancer before age 75. Mammography is a screening tool that can help find cancer early when it’s in a more curable stage. It uses X-ray technology to view breast tissue, and the resulting image is called a mammogram.
During a mammogram, your breasts are placed one at a time between two plastic plates. The plates press together to flatten your breast so that the most tissue can be seen in the image. The process may be uncomfortable, but it only lasts for a few seconds. A radiologist will interpret your mammogram and give the results to your doctor, who will report the findings back to you.
Most women are at average risk of breast cancer. If you are in that category, we recommend a mammogram every 1-2 years beginning at age 40 and continuing until you are at least 75.
Being at high risk of breast cancer means you have certain risk factors, such as:
- Family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or other inherited cancer types
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations
- Chest radiation treatments at a young age
- A history of high-risk breast biopsy results
If you fall into this category, your doctor will talk to you about the best plan for mammograms and breast screening. If you have a high-risk family history, you may qualify for genetic testing for the gene mutations that increase your risk of breast cancer. Ask your provider if this is something you should consider.
Getting a Mammogram
Mammograms aren’t perfect. They can miss cancer when it is present and indicate something that looks like cancer but isn’t. But they provide an important tool for your provider to help identify breast problems at their earliest stages. If you are 40 or older and haven’t had a mammogram, or it’s been longer than two years since you’ve had your last one, call 307.637.7700 to see your provider and order your mammogram. In Cheyenne, you can get one at the Cheyenne Women’s Imaging Pavilion at Cheyenne Radiology. (You will need a referral from your doctor before making an appointment.)
Free mammograms are available through the Wyoming Cancer Program. To see if you are eligible, call 307.633.6863, 877.286.0907, or 800.264.1296.
After going to another clinic in Cheyenne that didn’t treat me as a priority, it was a breath of fresh air stepping into Cheyenne Women’s Clinic. The entire staff was amazing, but Dr. Dozier was exceptional. She was kind, patient & answered any questions I had with great detail. I will never not recommend her. I am so pleased with my experience here.
I feel so lucky to have had the doctors at the Women’s Clinic for all three of my deliveries and GYN care. They provide high quality, compassionate, evidenced based care and Cheyenne is lucky to have such a great group!
I absolutely have loved it here! We just finished having our second kiddo and have worked with the vast majority of doctors here and they are all excellent!
Had an absolute amazing experience with the Cheyenne Woman’s Clinic during my first pregnancy. They did their best to accommodate my labor desires and made me feel as comfortable as can be. My husband appreciated how they took care of me, and now we’re going back with our second pregnancy! Highly recommend.
All of my appointments I’ve attended through the Women’s Clinic have been amazing the nurses and doctors have been lots of help throughout my whole pregnancy with lots of advice and support, I love every person from there they definitely are a welcoming and loving place!
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