Mammogram
A screening mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Usually two or three views (pictures) are taken of each breast. While mammograms are not perfect, according to the American Cancer Society, they are considered to be the best tool to find cancers of the breast very early.
Advances in mammography, including the invention of FDA-approved digital mammography, can be credited with detecting 80 percent to 90 percent of breast cancers in women without symptoms. This is particularly effective in screening women who are under age 50, or women of any age who have dense breasts.
This is due to digital mammography’s ability to take an electronic image of the breast and store it directly in a computer, allowing the recorded data to be enhanced, magnified, or manipulated for further evaluation.
Who should have a mammogram?
- Women over 40 should talk with their health care provider on when the best time is to begin annual mammograms.
- For women with a strong family history of breast cancer, a mammogram may be ordered at an earlier age.
What should I know about breast self-exam?
Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a periodic (regular) health exam by their health care provider, preferably every three years.
Any woman experiencing any breast changes should share that with their health care professional right away.
Know Your Risk
- With breast cancer screening guidelines changing all the time, it can be tough to know what screenings to have or what level of risk you may be at.
Both our online health risk assessment and our in-person genetic cancer risk assessment are great ways to come up with a plan of action that is right for you.
3D mammography
With conventional digital mammography, the radiologist is viewing all the complexities of your breast tissue in one flat image. Sometimes breast tissue can overlap, giving the illusion of normal breast tissue looking like an abnormal area.
By looking at the breast tissue in 1 millimeter slices, the radiologist can provide a more confident assessment.
In this way, 3D mammography may find cancers missed with conventional 2D mammography.
Also known as breast tomosynthesis, 3D mammography helps radiologists identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue.
Radiologists are reporting that tomosynthesis technology gives them increased confidence with a significant reduction in recall rates.
Scheduling Your Mammogram
You can self-schedule your screening mammogram online for a time that fits your busy life.
To get started, click on “Schedule Online” next to the area where you live and follow the online prompts.
You can also call to schedule your screening mammogram by calling the number for the area where you live.
| Location | Phone Number | Schedule |
| Alton Area | (618) 474-4606 | |
| Bloomington Area Now offering Saturday appointments from 8 a.m. to noon. |
(309) 661-5160 | |
| Danville | (217) 443-5273 | |
| Dixon | (815) 284-5700 | -- |
| Escanaba Area |
(906) 786-3311 | |
| Evergreen Park Hours 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Late hours Thursday until 7 p.m. |
(708) 499-8550 | |
| Galesburg | (309) 344-3161 ext. 65454 |
|
| Kewanee |
(309) 852-7550 | |
| Mendota |
(815) 538-7206 | |
| Monmouth Weekend appointments available every third Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. |
(309) 734-1446 |
|
| Morton | (309) 683-5522 |
|
| Oak Lawn | (708) 974-7600 | |
| Ottawa Area Weekend appointments available |
(815) 431-5471 | |
| Peoria Area | (309) 683-5522 |
|
| Peoria Walk-ins welcome at every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
(309) 683-5522 |
|
| Peru | (815) 431-5471 | |
| Pontiac Area | (815) 842-4931 | |
| Princeton |
(815) 876-2050 | |
| Rockford Area Walk-in screening mammograms are available at every weekday from Noon to 3 p.m., and every weekday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
(815) 395-5444 |
|
| Streator |
(815) 673-4517 |
|
| Urbana Area |
(217) 337-2302 |