Breast Imaging

Mammograms and the COVID-19 vaccine

Based on guidance from the Society of Breast Imaging, Baylor Scott & White recommends that patients schedule their routine screening mammogram either before receiving their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine or at least four weeks after receiving their final COVID-19 immunization. *This recommendation applies only to routine screening mammograms and not diagnostic mammograms.

Schedule your screening mammogram with confidence

Our team members are taking many steps to protect your safety, including:

Asking all patients and staff to wear masks—this may be a cloth mask brought from home
Screening all patients at the time of scheduling and at time of appointment
Kindly asking all visitors to wait outside of the center
Limiting the number of patients in the center at the same time by reducing the number of appointments and expanding Saturday hours
You may receive a phone call to pre-register before your scheduled appointment to reduce wait time in the center
Limiting seating in lobbies and waiting areas
Thoroughly cleaning waiting areas, exam rooms, and equipment with disinfectants recommended by the CDC

Total breast care

Most women will experience some type of breast problem during their lifetime. The good news is that most breast disorders are not cancerous. However, your chance of developing breast cancer increases as you get older. That's why breast cancer screenings and examinations are so important—and where you go for these breast care services makes a difference.

While more than 300,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year according to the American Cancer Society, there are also many other breast health concerns.

Common breast conditions include:

Breast calcifications
Breast cysts
Breast lumps
Breast nipple discharge
Breast pain
Dense breasts

Breast cancer screening recommendations

According to the American Cancer Society, early screening saves lives. Mammograms are the most effective and important early breast cancer detection method.

All women: monthly breast self-exam
Women age 20 and older: clinical breast exam at annual physical
Women age 40 and older: yearly mammogram and clinical breast exam
Women at high risk for breast cancer: yearly MRI and mammogram

Risk factors

Your risk for breast cancer goes up the older you get.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Hispanic women, and more common in African American women under age 45.

5-10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary, resulting directly from gene defects.

First-degree relationships (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer doubles your risk, but 75% of women diagnosed have no family history.

Overweight or obese women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Women with dense tissue in their breasts are 1.4x more likely to develop cancer.

Reasons to schedule a mammogram

#1 Breast cancer is the most common cancer in U.S. women

1 in 8 One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime

98% Survival is better than 98% for women whose cancer is found early

40% Yearly mammograms can reduce the risk of dying of breast cancer by 40%

40 The age women can begin screening mammograms (or earlier for high risk)

1 in 6 One in six breast cancers occurs in women in their 40s

The Power of 2 Challenge

We want to empower women to take control of their health by conveniently scheduling their mammograms centers. By getting your mammogram and challenging a friend, you double its impact. That's what we call The Power of 2.

Breast imaging services

Baylor Scott & White Health's breast imaging centers in hospitals and facilities in North and Central Texas provide screening and diagnostic services along with consultation, education and treatment options for breast cancer. Many of our centers are designated by the American College of Radiology (ACR) as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

Breast ultrasound
3D breast ultrasound
Cyst aspiration
Ductogram

Breast cancer risk assessment
Image-guided breast biopsy
Stereotactic breast biopsy
Lesion localization

Mammography (screening and diagnostic)
3D mammography (available at select locations)
Full-field digital mammography
Bone density screening (physician's order required, no online scheduling)

We are here to support you through a breast cancer diagnosis
Just diagnosed? When you receive a breast cancer diagnosis, it can be the beginning of an emotional and confusing journey. Baylor Scott & White is here with you every step of the way of your breast cancer care journey.
Explore our cancer support services

Patient education videos and brochures

Know your breast health Better

From common breast conditions to imaging tests, we want you to feel informed about your health. Check out the resources available to help you learn more about these topics.

Brochures

Videos

All

Mammography overview

Digital mammography

Breast MRI

Stereotactic biopsy

Ultrasound-guided biopsy

Know your breast health Better

From common breast conditions to imaging tests, we want you to feel informed about your health. Check out the resources available to help you learn more about these topics.

Videos

Mammography Overview – David Zorinsky, MD
Digital Mammography - Scott Woomer, MD
Breast MRI – Amy Balis, MD
Stereotactic Biopsy – Patricia Krakos, MD
Ultrasound-guided Biopsy – Megan Fitzpatrick, MD

Handouts

Bone density scans
Breast biopsy
Breast calcifications
Breast cysts
Breast lumps or lumpy breasts
Breast needle localization
Breast MRI
Breast pain
Male breast conditions
Mammography overview

*In some cases, part of the body’s natural response showing that the COVID-19 vaccine is working is temporary swelling of tissue in the armpit. While this temporary swelling is harmless, it can interfere with the quality of a screening mammogram.

Mammograms and the COVID-19 vaccine

Schedule your screening mammogram with confidence

Our team members are taking many steps to protect your safety, including:

HIGH-RISK BREAST SCREENING PROGRAM

Knowledge is power—a comprehensive approach to identifying and monitoring risk