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For PatientsAbout Your VisitNYMI is committed to providing you with a variety of resources and education as it relates to your visit with us. Please find resources below that will help you prepare and easily navigate through your experience with us.
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Additional Downloadable Forms
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Preparation for your Breast Imaging Visit
Online Breast Imaging Forms
For your convenience, these NYMI Associates Office Forms can be downloaded or completed online.
Please click the button below to securely complete the breast imaging questionnaire online. (You must have an appointment to submit this form online)
NOTICE: To complete the online form you are required to have Adobe Acrobat. While most computers already have the latest version installed, if you do not or do not have a version compatible with this form, you can download and install the free version here.
About Your Breast Imaging Exam(s):
This examination will consist of a mammogram and, if requested by your physician, a breast ultrasound. Several studies have confirmed that mammographic screening significantly reduced the number of deaths from breast cancer. In addition, studies have shown that in the appropriate subpopulation of women, a screening ultrasound examination, together with a screening mammogram, significantly increased detection of breast cancer when compared to mammography alone.
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray of the breast used to detect breast changes in women who have no signs or symptoms of breast cancer. It usually involves two images of each breast. During the examination, a specially qualified radiologic technologist will position your breast in the mammography unit. Your breast will be placed on a special platform and compressed with a paddle.
Breast compression is necessary in order to:
- Allow the use of a lower x-ray dose since a thinner amount of breast tissue is being imaged.
- Spread the breast tissue so that small abnormalities are less likely to be obscured by overlying tissue.
- Stabilize the breast to minimize blurring caused by motion.
- Reduce x-ray scatter to increase picture sharpness.
NYMI Associates uses only digital mammography. Digital mammography requires 25% less radiation dose than conventional film mammography and allows the recorded data to be enhanced, magnified, and manipulated for further evaluation. Most importantly, compared to conventional film mammography, digital mammography has been shown to provide a benefit in detection of breast cancer in women who have dense breasts, are under age 50, or are pre- or perimenopausal.
Approximately 90% of screening mammograms are normal and require no further evaluation. Should you require additional breast imaging, we will contact you to schedule an exam which is called a diagnostic mammogram. This will include a mammogram, sonogram and/or MRI. Please note, being recalled does not mean that you have breast cancer. In fact, the vast majority of patients called back for additional imaging do not have breast cancer. If you are recalled, a physician will review your study with you and discuss the findings and recommended follow-up.
The radiologist will review your mammogram usually within 1-2 days after your appointment. Some patients ask, "Why can't the doctor look at my images while I'm here for the screening study?" Published studies have shown that immediate interpretation of screening mammograms -read while the patient waits in the office- resulted in a statistically significant increase in additional mammographic images and additional clinical work-ups without any significant benefit in cancer detection rate. Alternatively, and more importantly, batch reading -read after the patient leaves the office- resulted in a decrease in abnormal interpretation rates. The logic is that the radiologist, unhurried and undistracted by phone calls, patient questions, etc., is better able to focus on the task at hand. While there is no perfect test, reading the images in this fashion results in better patient care.
You have made a wise decision to have a screening mammogram. The physicians and staff at NYMI Associates strive to do everything we can to detect breast cancer early and provide you with the highest quality medical care.
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