My technician Rhonda and Dr. Venu are absolutely exceptional in their bedside manner. They were thoroughly invested in ensuring I was comfortable, informed, and well taken care of. I’ve had the same family doctor for 26 years and I felt just as comfortable with Dr. Venu and Rhonda today as I do with my own family physician.
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.
FAQs
We do not currently offer screening breast ultrasound as an alternative to mammography because we do not currently have the resources.
We don’t have the specialized staff or equipment required for these procedures outside of our main office.
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.
We do not currently offer screening breast ultrasound as an alternative to mammography because we do not currently have the resources.
We don’t have the specialized staff or equipment required for these procedures outside of our main office.
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.
We do not currently offer screening breast ultrasound as an alternative to mammography because we do not currently have the resources.
We don’t have the specialized staff or equipment required for these procedures outside of our main office.
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.
We do not currently offer screening breast ultrasound as an alternative to mammography because we do not currently have the resources.
We don’t have the specialized staff or equipment required for these procedures outside of our main office.
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.
We do not currently offer screening breast ultrasound as an alternative to mammography because we do not currently have the resources.
We don’t have the specialized staff or equipment required for these procedures outside of our main office.
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.
We do not currently offer screening breast ultrasound as an alternative to mammography because we do not currently have the resources.
We don’t have the specialized staff or equipment required for these procedures outside of our main office.
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.
We do not currently offer screening breast ultrasound as an alternative to mammography because we do not currently have the resources.
We don’t have the specialized staff or equipment required for these procedures outside of our main office.
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.
We do not currently offer screening breast ultrasound as an alternative to mammography because we do not currently have the resources.
We don’t have the specialized staff or equipment required for these procedures outside of our main office.
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.
We do not currently offer screening breast ultrasound as an alternative to mammography because we do not currently have the resources.
We don’t have the specialized staff or equipment required for these procedures outside of our main office.
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.
We do not currently offer screening breast ultrasound as an alternative to mammography because we do not currently have the resources.
We don’t have the specialized staff or equipment required for these procedures outside of our main office.
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.
We do not currently offer screening breast ultrasound as an alternative to mammography because we do not currently have the resources.
We don’t have the specialized staff or equipment required for these procedures outside of our main office.
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.
We do not currently offer screening breast ultrasound as an alternative to mammography because we do not currently have the resources.
We don’t have the specialized staff or equipment required for these procedures outside of our main office.
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
I was scheduled for an MRI and everything went smoothly and quickly! I was called in not even 5 minutes after my appointment time! The technician in the MRI room was really nice and friendly. Would not hesitate to book again and do the drive from Calgary.
Kathleen Boucher
I use CAMIS in Red Deer as a medical professional and as a patient. Yesterday I used it as a patient to have a pain management procedure with Dr. Mann. The fluoroscopy technicians were very friendly and professional and made the whole process quick and efficient. Dr. Mann was funny and took great pride in keeping everything sterile and as pain free as possible. Overall as a patient and medical professional I give CAMIS a big thumbs up.
Jolene
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 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
Impressed with my mammogram appointment today, the lineup went quickly and was efficiently managed. Pam was wonderful, these tests aren’t fun but she was kind, gentle, and has an excellent personality. The ladies at the front desk were also friendly and very knowledgeable and answered all my questions . Thank you for a great experience.
C.P.
We travel 1.5 hours for prenatal ultrasounds to come here instead of the 30mins to the place closest to us due to great experiences with the ultrasound techs in Red Deer, they have all been lovely!
Brooke Zimmer
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Contact our Camis Care team to ask questions learn more about our mammography services.