Services/Mammography (LVDI Hamburg)

Mammography services are available at our Hamburg location.

Mammography, the most frequently used breast screening procedure, can detect lumps and other breast changes often several years before they can be felt. Low-dose, film-screen mammography is an x-ray examination of the breast with extremely low radiation exposure. It takes about 15 minutes. Although there may be slight discomfort due to compression of the breast, it is generally only minor If you have had a mammogram within the past five years, please arrange to bring your x-rays with you to use for comparison. On the day of your mammogram, please do not use perfume, deodorant, or talcum powder.

Mammography services are provided through Breast Health Services, which is the leading provider of breast imaging in the region. As the sixth mammography location of BHS, LVDI-Hamburg now brings over 15 years in quality breast imaging and interpretation experience to the patients of Hamburg Family Practice and its surrounding communities. Patients requiring more than screening mammography can easily access the comprehensive breast center at the Cedar Crest campus of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. Breast Health Services offers diagnostic mammography, breast ultrasound, minimally invasive breast biopsy techniques and a variety of consultative services, including second opinion and support services facilitated by BHS specialists.

All radiologists are board certified by the American College of Radiology and are certified mammography readers meeting all the Food and Drug Administration requirements. LVDI-Hamburg is a fully accredited mammography screening site.

A new high-tech tool helps radiologists of the Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network interpret mammograms and detect breast cancer at the earliest and most curable stage. Imagechecker™ draws on a database of 30,000 cancers and acts like a 'spell check' to identify subtle features that may be associated with cancer. Research shows that ImageChecker can detect up to 20 percent more cancers than mammography alone. All LVDI-Hamburg screening mammograms are reviewed through this system bringing state-of-the-art high technology right to the community.

Regular quality mammography, self-breast examinations, and annual breast examinations by your physician are the best combination for your successful breast health. LVDI-Hamburg and Breast Health Services believes, "Your breast health is too important for just one person. We think the team approach is best." John G. Pearce, M.D. F.AC.R. Director of Breast Imaging

Mammography Guidelines

LVDI-Hamburg adopts the following American Cancer Society guidelines for the detection of breast cancer in women:

• Women 20 years of age and older should perform monthly breast self- examinations
• Women between 20 and 40 should have a professional breast examination every three years
• Women should have their first mammogram by age 40
• Women 40 and over should have a mammogram every year

If you are, or think you are, pregnant, you need to inform the technologist before the exam. In this case, your physician will determine if the x-ray is medically necessary for the diagnosis.

1250 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Suite 100
Allentown, PA 18103