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Mammography

HSHS St. Francis offers comprehensive mammography services with 3D technology

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Take some time for you. We get it -- you are busy. But you are important, too. Consider this fact: breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in America. It's also one of the most treatable when detected early.  

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Screening mammograms

The American Cancer Society guidelines recommend that women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year. Screening mammography offers the best chance of finding breast cancer early. Finding breast cancer early means more treatment options and a better chance for a cure.

Schedule your screening mammogram online

Schedule by phone

Centralized Scheduling 217-324-8446

Radiology Department 217-324-8555 or 217-324-8556

Woman receiving a screening mammogram

Early detection is the best way to protect against breast cancer

That’s why HSHS St. Francis Hospital is transforming breast cancer screening and detection with the latest 3D mammography technology and a focus on your comfort. Our goal is to make breast health as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Instead of reviewing the breast tissue in a single, flat image, this technology folds together a series of images to create a 3D view, allowing doctors to see the tiniest details and find cancer in its earliest stages.

Advanced 3D mammography

3D mammography allows the radiologist to examine the breast tissue layer by layer. Instead of viewing all the complexities of breast tissue in a flat image (as with traditional 2D mammography), fine details are more visible and no longer hidden by the tissue above or below.

This state-of-the-art technology provides the clearest possible images for early and accurate detection of breast cancers. This revolutionary process allows your physician to better distinguish masses or tissues that might be cancerous. 3D mammography allows the breast to be viewed in a series of layers, allowing the radiologist to more accurately interpret the images. 

The use of 3D mammography has proven to significantly reduce false positive callbacks and to be more accurate in detecting breast cancers early. 

Extremely beneficial for patients with dense breasts (your doctor will be able to tell you if you have dense breasts).

3D Mammography offers these benefits:

  • 29% improvement in overall cancer detection.
  • Up to 40% reduced false positives.
  • Allows the radiologist to see masses and distortions associated with cancers significantly more clearly than conventional 2D.
  • Up to 40% reduction in recall rates (call backs) compared to 2D mammography.

Diagnostic mammography

Diagnostic mammograms are used to check specific breast changes found on physical exam or a screening mammogram. If you experience any of the following, please see your physician immediately:

  • Lump or swelling
  • Skin dimpling
  • Pain or tenderness in the breast
  • Unusual nipple discharge
  • Rash of the breast area that will not go away

A diagnostic mammogram requires a physician order.