Absolutely amazing staff and service.. very kind, caring, friendly, and efficient. Yes, my appointment was made on an emergency basis. I wish that the rest of our health care system worked as quickly, efficiently, and caring as these ladies and gentlemen did.
Understanding mammography
Mammography uses a low dose of radiation to get high-resolution images.
Compression is used for three reasons:
- Separates structures within the breast to enable a more clear view of them
- Gives a more consistent breast thickness, to enable adequate exposure to all parts of the breast
- The thinner the part, the smaller the exposure (which means less radiation)
Breast Health Best Practices
- Breast self-exams
- Routine clinical breast assessment (by your health practitioner)
- Routine mammography
For more information, please read our blog where our radiologist helps answer commonly asked questions about Mammography.
View mammography blog
Breast Health Best Practices
Breast self-exams
Routine clinical breast assessment (by your health practitioner)
Routine mammography
For more information, please read our blog where our radiologist helps answer commonly asked questions about Mammography.
Screening Breast Exam
Screening mammography is a breast imaging exam for asymptomatic women (showing no symptoms) over the age of 40, to aid in the early detection of breast cancer.
Who can get a screening breast exam?
- Women who are asymptomatic and between the ages of 45 and 75 do not require a doctor referral to have a mammogram
- Women under the age of 45 and over the age of 75 who have not had a screening before must have an initial referral (only for the first mammogram)
In ALL other cases a referral is required.
Diagnostic Breast Exam
A diagnostic mammogram involves a woman having a mammogram to resolve a symptom or to follow an abnormality.
A doctor referral is required for all diagnostic mammograms including:
- Patients with symptoms (lumps, breast pain, discharge)
- Patients with a previous breast cancer diagnosis
- First mammogram post-breast surgery / post-benign biopsy
- All patients under 40
- Men
Breast Tomosynthesis
Breast tomosynthesis, also called three-dimensional (3-D) mammography, is an advanced form of breast imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray system and computer reconstructions to create three-dimensional images of the breasts.
Tomosynthesis can improve early breast cancer detection and may decrease the number of screening patients we need to call back for extra imaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Mammography
While breast ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool, it is generally used as a supplemental imaging technique in conjunction with mammography, especially for women with dense breast tissue or specific concerns.
At present, we do not offer screening breast ultrasound as a standalone alternative to mammography for general population screening. This is due to current resource allocation and established screening guidelines which recommend mammography as the primary screening tool for breast cancer detection. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate screening method for your individual needs.
If you are between the age 50 of 75, and have no symptoms or history of breast cancer, then you do not need a doctors referral. You do however need to provide a doctor’s name at time of booking.
While breast ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool, it is generally used as a supplemental imaging technique in conjunction with mammography, especially for women with dense breast tissue or specific concerns.
At present, we do not offer screening breast ultrasound as a standalone alternative to mammography for general population screening. This is due to current resource allocation and established screening guidelines which recommend mammography as the primary screening tool for breast cancer detection. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate screening method for your individual needs.
If you are between the age 50 of 75, and have no symptoms or history of breast cancer, then you do not need a doctors referral. You do however need to provide a doctor’s name at time of booking.
While breast ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool, it is generally used as a supplemental imaging technique in conjunction with mammography, especially for women with dense breast tissue or specific concerns.
At present, we do not offer screening breast ultrasound as a standalone alternative to mammography for general population screening. This is due to current resource allocation and established screening guidelines which recommend mammography as the primary screening tool for breast cancer detection. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate screening method for your individual needs.
If you are between the age 50 of 75, and have no symptoms or history of breast cancer, then you do not need a doctors referral. You do however need to provide a doctor’s name at time of booking.
While breast ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool, it is generally used as a supplemental imaging technique in conjunction with mammography, especially for women with dense breast tissue or specific concerns.
At present, we do not offer screening breast ultrasound as a standalone alternative to mammography for general population screening. This is due to current resource allocation and established screening guidelines which recommend mammography as the primary screening tool for breast cancer detection. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate screening method for your individual needs.
If you are between the age 50 of 75, and have no symptoms or history of breast cancer, then you do not need a doctors referral. You do however need to provide a doctor’s name at time of booking.
While breast ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool, it is generally used as a supplemental imaging technique in conjunction with mammography, especially for women with dense breast tissue or specific concerns.
At present, we do not offer screening breast ultrasound as a standalone alternative to mammography for general population screening. This is due to current resource allocation and established screening guidelines which recommend mammography as the primary screening tool for breast cancer detection. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate screening method for your individual needs.
If you are between the age 50 of 75, and have no symptoms or history of breast cancer, then you do not need a doctors referral. You do however need to provide a doctor’s name at time of booking.
While breast ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool, it is generally used as a supplemental imaging technique in conjunction with mammography, especially for women with dense breast tissue or specific concerns.
At present, we do not offer screening breast ultrasound as a standalone alternative to mammography for general population screening. This is due to current resource allocation and established screening guidelines which recommend mammography as the primary screening tool for breast cancer detection. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate screening method for your individual needs.
If you are between the age 50 of 75, and have no symptoms or history of breast cancer, then you do not need a doctors referral. You do however need to provide a doctor’s name at time of booking.
While breast ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool, it is generally used as a supplemental imaging technique in conjunction with mammography, especially for women with dense breast tissue or specific concerns.
At present, we do not offer screening breast ultrasound as a standalone alternative to mammography for general population screening. This is due to current resource allocation and established screening guidelines which recommend mammography as the primary screening tool for breast cancer detection. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate screening method for your individual needs.
If you are between the age 50 of 75, and have no symptoms or history of breast cancer, then you do not need a doctors referral. You do however need to provide a doctor’s name at time of booking.
While breast ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool, it is generally used as a supplemental imaging technique in conjunction with mammography, especially for women with dense breast tissue or specific concerns.
At present, we do not offer screening breast ultrasound as a standalone alternative to mammography for general population screening. This is due to current resource allocation and established screening guidelines which recommend mammography as the primary screening tool for breast cancer detection. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate screening method for your individual needs.
If you are between the age 50 of 75, and have no symptoms or history of breast cancer, then you do not need a doctors referral. You do however need to provide a doctor’s name at time of booking.
While breast ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool, it is generally used as a supplemental imaging technique in conjunction with mammography, especially for women with dense breast tissue or specific concerns.
At present, we do not offer screening breast ultrasound as a standalone alternative to mammography for general population screening. This is due to current resource allocation and established screening guidelines which recommend mammography as the primary screening tool for breast cancer detection. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate screening method for your individual needs.
If you are between the age 50 of 75, and have no symptoms or history of breast cancer, then you do not need a doctors referral. You do however need to provide a doctor’s name at time of booking.
While breast ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool, it is generally used as a supplemental imaging technique in conjunction with mammography, especially for women with dense breast tissue or specific concerns.
At present, we do not offer screening breast ultrasound as a standalone alternative to mammography for general population screening. This is due to current resource allocation and established screening guidelines which recommend mammography as the primary screening tool for breast cancer detection. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate screening method for your individual needs.
If you are between the age 50 of 75, and have no symptoms or history of breast cancer, then you do not need a doctors referral. You do however need to provide a doctor’s name at time of booking.
While breast ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool, it is generally used as a supplemental imaging technique in conjunction with mammography, especially for women with dense breast tissue or specific concerns.
At present, we do not offer screening breast ultrasound as a standalone alternative to mammography for general population screening. This is due to current resource allocation and established screening guidelines which recommend mammography as the primary screening tool for breast cancer detection. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate screening method for your individual needs.
If you are between the age 50 of 75, and have no symptoms or history of breast cancer, then you do not need a doctors referral. You do however need to provide a doctor’s name at time of booking.
While breast ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool, it is generally used as a supplemental imaging technique in conjunction with mammography, especially for women with dense breast tissue or specific concerns.
At present, we do not offer screening breast ultrasound as a standalone alternative to mammography for general population screening. This is due to current resource allocation and established screening guidelines which recommend mammography as the primary screening tool for breast cancer detection. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate screening method for your individual needs.
If you are between the age 50 of 75, and have no symptoms or history of breast cancer, then you do not need a doctors referral. You do however need to provide a doctor’s name at time of booking.
While breast ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool, it is generally used as a supplemental imaging technique in conjunction with mammography, especially for women with dense breast tissue or specific concerns.
At present, we do not offer screening breast ultrasound as a standalone alternative to mammography for general population screening. This is due to current resource allocation and established screening guidelines which recommend mammography as the primary screening tool for breast cancer detection. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate screening method for your individual needs.
If you are between the age 50 of 75, and have no symptoms or history of breast cancer, then you do not need a doctors referral. You do however need to provide a doctor’s name at time of booking.
While breast ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool, it is generally used as a supplemental imaging technique in conjunction with mammography, especially for women with dense breast tissue or specific concerns.
At present, we do not offer screening breast ultrasound as a standalone alternative to mammography for general population screening. This is due to current resource allocation and established screening guidelines which recommend mammography as the primary screening tool for breast cancer detection. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate screening method for your individual needs.
If you are between the age 50 of 75, and have no symptoms or history of breast cancer, then you do not need a doctors referral. You do however need to provide a doctor’s name at time of booking.
Preparing For Your Appointment
PATIENT PREPARATION
- Dress comfortably, with loose, easy to remove, clothing.
- No deodorants, antiperspirants, lotions or powders.
- When you are booking your exam, please tell us of any prior breast imaging you have had.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR EXAM
- You will be checked in at the front desk and taken to the mammography waiting room.
- A technologist will come and call you by name and take you into a mammography exam room.
- She will go over a questionnaire with you. If you have been in before, she will update the information that we already have. If it is your first visit, she will ask you questions and fill out the entire form.
- The technologist will go over the exam with you and explain what she is going to do. You will be asked to undress from the waist up, and provided with a gown if you choose one.
- Once the exam is complete, you will either be told that you can get dressed and go home, or you will be given a gown and be asked to have a seat in the waiting room while the technologist checks the images. You may need further imaging at the radiologist’s discretion
AFTER YOUR EXAM
- If you had a screening mammogram, it is possible that you will be recalled for further imaging and we will call you directly using the phone number you have given us at the time of booking.
- As part of a province wide mandate from the Alberta Cancer Board, CAMIS will send “results letters” directly to all screening patients.
- You will be sent a reminder postcard at the appropriate interval for your next mammogram.
Covered by Alberta Health Care
Referrals are necessary for all bookings: (Excluding screening patients aged 45 – 75)
Screening Exam Duration: 10 – 30mins
Diagnostic Exam Duration: 30 – 60mins
Shout out to the two amazing women who assisted me in my MRI appointment today, although I came in with anxiety of the unknown and don’t do well in closed spaces these two wonderful ladies made my experience not only great but I was able to make it through it with ease and comfort, thank you so very much for your kindness and amazing support and service, two of the most beautiful women it’s great to see there is still amazing people out there, thank you again ladies 🙌🙌🙌🫶
Tara B.
Always have a professional and kind experience with CAMIS. I was lucky enough to have Debbie this last time and she was incredibly kind and gentle for a procedure that can be uncomfortable. Very thoughtful and walked me through everything with humor and unmatched professionalism. All staff have been great in my experience.
Natalie B
I had an amazing experience having my test done here today. Jordyn was very personable (great interpersonal and communication skills) – made me feel at ease and comfortable during my test. She is an excellent ultrasound technologist! She explained the procedures and my test was done on time. Thank you for the excellent service Jordyn!
Experanza E.
I cannot say enough good things about all the staff and doctors I interacted with the last two days. What was a very scary and stressful time was made enjoyable, easy, understandable and friendly.
Carrie McKay
I cannot say enough good things about all the staff and doctors I interacted with the last two days. What was a very scary and stressful time was made enjoyable, easy, understandable and friendly. Everyone from the greeter at the door to front desk staff to all the wonderful nurses and technicians made this whole process so easy and relieving.
Carrie M
I had a Barbotage treatment at the new CAMIS Notre Dame location. I have to say the staff there are excellent. The one in the treatment room with me was so kind, considerate and compassionate). I just want to compliment the lovely lady who assisted the Doctor who was also exceptionally good at trying not to cause me any more pain. Great job done by both of them.
Carole Carnahan
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Contact our Camis Care team to ask questions learn more about our mammography services.