Consolidated services for women

Fort Hamilton Hospital provides a comprehensive array of core diagnostic women’s services including screening and diagnostic mammography, breast ultrasound, MRI of the breast, non-invasive breast biopsies, and osteoporosis screening. 

A mammography coordinator helps our patients to manage the women’s services they need and our mammography dedicated medical doctor of radiology assures fast results after your mammogram.

Women’s Health Choice is a soothing environment accented by a warm decor and the gentle sounds of a waterfall. Even more important, the specially trained staff help reduce anxiety and guide women in making good health care decisions.

Digital Mammography
National studies have shown that digital mammography, as opposed to film-screened mammography, has a higher breast cancer detection rate among young, thin women with dense breast tissue. This is significant, because about 45 percent of all women screened have dense breast tissue.  

Our new MRI features technology that allows physicians to view high-resolution images of the breast and surrounding tissue. This is crucial in detecting hard to locate cancers and implant ruptures, as well as in making surgical assessments.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
Fort Hamilton Hospital offers minimally invasive stereotactic breast biopsies as an alternative to the traditional envasive surgical biopsy.

Having a stereotactic breast biopsy offers the following advantages:

• One step, minimally invasive procedure
• Performed with local anesthesia
• Lower cost
• Quick return to normal activities
• High accuracy rate

Catching Breast Cancer Early
The American Cancer Society recommends the following screening guidelines:

• Monthly Breast Self Exam – Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast changes promptly to their doctor.
• Regular Clinical Breast Exam – Women younger than 40 should have their breasts examined by a medical professional about every three years and annually after age 40.
• Yearly Mammogram – Women should obtain a mammogram every year starting at age 40.

Early warning signs of breast cancer:

• A lump or thickening in the breast or under arm.
• Discharge from the nipple.
• A change in breast size or shape.
• A change in the color of feel of the skin or nipple, such as dimpling, puckering or scaliness.

See your doctor immediately if you develop any of these signs.

Osteoporosis Early Diagnosis
Early detection using bone density measurement is the best way to protect your self from the potentially debilitating effects of osteoporosis.

A bone density measurement determines bone mineral density (BMD) for the area measured and compares that result with the average BMD of young adult normals of  your sex and race at their peak BMD. This information will help your doctor determine if you need to take certain steps to protect your bone health.

Bone density measurement is simple, safe, noninvasive and painless, and you don’t need to undress. A measurement usually takes between 15 – 20 minutes and you will be asked to be very still during that time.

Many women who are postmenopausal are at risk for osteoporosis. Some common risk factors are:

• Caucasian race or Asian ethnicity
• Thin or small build
• Family history of osteoporosis or osteoporotic fracture
• Early menopause (before age 45)
• Smoking
• Inactive lifestyle
• Chronic use of certain medications such as steroids, excessive thyroid hormone, and certain anticonvulsants
• Excessive alcohol use

If you think you may be at risk for osteoporosis, ask your doctor if a bone density measurement will be of value to you.