The physicians and staff at The Imaging Center of Las Cruces are proud to introduce the only Digital Mammography in the Southwest region of New Mexico. Our state-of-the-art equipment, full field digital mammography, provides comprehensive breast imaging services. We strive to be sensitive to our patients and their needs while providing a high level of mammography expertise from our radiologists and staff.

Our full field digital mammography equipment offers improved visibility of the breast, especially in women with dense breast tissue. Unlike traditional film mammography, full field digital mammography images can be viewed within seconds by the technologist for technical adequacy so that the patient spends much less time getting her study done.

In our new center, we can provide comprehensive breast imaging services including mammography, ultrasound, MR and imaging guided biopsies (using stereotactic, ultrasound and MR guidance).

Breast cancer facts (2005 Facts & Figures, American Cancer Society)

• Over 2 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the U.S. today.
• While breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, more cancer deaths occur from lung cancer.
• Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 20-59 years, a fact that supports the importance of screening mammography.

Frequently Asked Questions
How does mammography work?
Is mammography safe?
Who will perform my mammogram?
Who will interpret my mammogram?
Do you use computer assistance when interpreting mammograms?
Will it hurt?
How long will my mammogram take?
Is there more than one type of mammogram?
Can I schedule this without an order?
When should I start thinking about having a mammogram?
What if I have had a mammogram at another facility?

How does mammography work?
Mammography uses low dose radiation to look at the internal tissues of the breast. The goal of mammography is to find breast cancer, when present, before it can be felt.
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Is mammography safe?
The benefits of mammography in patients over 40 years old far outweigh the small risk of radiation exposure. The risk of a single mammogram has been compared to risks encountered in everyday life and is about the same as driving 220 miles by car or smoking 1.5 cigarettes. The National Academy of Science has concluded that the "risk of breast cancer for women exposed to radiation at age 40 or older is negligible or nonexistent."
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Who will perform my mammogram?
Our technologists are specially trained in mammography and registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
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Who will interpret my mammogram?
All examinations are interpreted by radiologists certified by the American Board of Radiology. We have four radiologists who specialize in breast imaging. All four far exceed the requirements made by the FDA for radiologists to interpret mammography examinations.
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Do you use computer assistance when interpreting mammograms?
At our facility, we have a computer aided detection system made by R2. This computer system analyzes mammograms searching for findings that may represent breast cancer and then highlights those areas for the radiologist. Use of the R2 "could result in earlier detection of up to 23.4% of the cancers currently detected with screening mammography in those women who had a prior screening mammogram 9-24 months earlier."
(FDA approved claim)
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Will it hurt?
Compression of the breast is key to achieving a high quality image. Some women will experience discomfort during the examination. You may choose to schedule your mammogram at a time when your breasts are less tender, usually after your menstrual cycle. This should help reduce discomfort associated with the exam.

** To eliminate discomfort, The Imaging Center of Las Cruces provides MammoPad for a softer, warmer, more comfortable mammogram. To learn more, visit www.mammopad.com.
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How long will my mammogram take?
The time varies but most screening mammograms require approximately 30 minutes and diagnostic mammograms an hour.
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Is there more than one type of mammogram?
There are two types – screening and diagnostic. A screening mammogram is done in women who are not having any breast problems. A diagnostic mammogram is for women who are having certain breast symptoms (including a lump or certain types of discharge), have had a lumpectomy for breast cancer in the past 10 years or have had special follow-up recommended from previous mammograms.
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Can I schedule this without an order?
The Radiology team at The Imaging Center of Las Cruces requests an ordering physician prescription for patient’s profile and health record. Mammogram reports must be interpreted by the ordering physician in order to proceed with patient’s health plan.
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Mammography Request & Consent for Outside Films Please keep in mind that it usually takes 5-7 working days to receive your prior images from another facility. If you need your films quicker than that for your appointment, please make arrangements to pick them up or have the films be delivered to our facility. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Fax to 505-522-1178.

When should I start thinking about having a mammogram?
The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. If breast cancer has been diagnosed in the family, your ordering physician will be the judge of when the first screening mammogram needs to be taken. Please consult with your physician.
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What if I have had a mammogram at another facility?
If you are coming to The Imaging Center of Las Cruces for the first time, we ask that you bring all pertinent information with you. This should include all old films with reports unless you have arranged for them to be sent beforehand. Having your old studies for comparison is very important as subtle changes may be the earliest findings of a breast cancer. We can assist in obtaining previous studies for you, with no guarantee that provider will respond quickly.
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