Breast health at North Suburban Medical Center

Breast health center in Thornton, Colorado

As part of HealthONE Breast Care, North Suburban Medical Center's breast health specialists are dedicated to screening for and detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages. At Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at North Suburban, we offer comprehensive breast imaging services, including advanced mammograms, in the north Denver area.

To schedule a breast exam at North Suburban Medical Center, please call (303) 457-7777.

Breast cancer screening

According to the breast cancer screening guidelines of the American Cancer Society (ACS), women who have an average risk of developing breast cancer and are between 45 and 54 years old should get a screening mammogram every year. The ACS also suggests women who are 55 years old and older get a mammogram every two years or continue yearly screenings.

If you believe you are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer, talk to your doctor about when you should have breast cancer screenings.

Additionally, we recommend routinely performing breast self-exams (BSEs) as part of your breast health strategy. Regular BSEs allow you to get familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel, so you can call your doctor when something seems abnormal.

Our women's breast health services

All of our breast health imaging services are provided by experienced technologists and read by radiologists who specialize in interpreting breast scans.

We offer a range of advanced imaging services for women's breast health, including:

• Mammograms
• Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
• Breast ultrasounds
• Breast biopsies

Mammograms

Our mammogram specialists offer different types of mammography, such as:

• Screening mammogram: A screening mammogram is a low-dose, digital X-ray of the breasts. This is routinely performed to detect breast cancer in women who have no symptoms.
• Diagnostic mammogram: This is a low-dose X-ray of the breasts that provides more details of the breast tissue by using specialized positioning and techniques. This exam may follow an abnormal screening mammogram if signs of breast cancer are present, such as a palpable lump, breast pain or changes in the skin, size or shape of a breast. These mammograms are also sometimes used for patients with breast implants.
• Tomosynthesis (3D mammogram): Traditional mammography takes images from the top and side of a breast, creating a 2D image. Tomosynthesis provides a 3D image of the breast and takes images from multiple angles. 3D mammograms capture clearer images and very fine details that may be hidden in breast tissue.

Preparing for your mammogram

To prepare for your mammogram, dress comfortably. Please do not wear deodorant, perfume or powder on the day of your mammogram, as these substances can obstruct the image of your breast tissue.

Follow-up mammograms

Someone from our team may call you to schedule a follow-up mammogram. After a mammogram screening, about 10 percent of women are asked to return for a follow-up test. However, not all abnormalities found in screening mammograms are cancerous.

Breast MRI

A breast MRI may be performed if a patient has already been diagnosed with breast cancer. The breast MRI allows us to measure the size of the tumor, look for other tumors in the breast and check for tumors in the opposite breast.

For women at higher risk of developing cancer due to family history or other factors, a screening breast MRI may be recommended along with a yearly mammogram.

Breast ultrasound

A breast ultrasound shows whether a breast lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid lump.

Stereotactic breast biopsy

A stereotactic breast biopsy uses a needle to take a sample of abnormal breast tissue. This allows our specialists to examine an abnormality without surgery.

Breast imaging services location

Breast imaging takes place at North Suburban Medical Center's Outpatient Imaging Center, located within our medical office building.

Our address is:

9195 Grant St., Suite 304
Thornton, CO 80229
Hours: Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 4:00pm

To schedule an exam, please call (303) 457-7777.