Mammo to Answers
Expedited Breast Health Diagnostic Program
The Mammo to Answers program is a partnership between Memorial Medical Center and Cancer Warriors, the Las Cruces organization founded in 2023 to fight women’s cancers. Its goal is to streamline the process and drastically reduce the time from mammogram to diagnosis.
How the program works
Step 1. Start with a mammogram
Mammograms are an essential part of preventive healthcare for women. Because breast cancer is very common, and because early detection is so important for successful treatment, most women who are over 40 should schedule a mammogram every year.
3D mammography is a clinically proven screening and diagnostic tool for early breast cancer detection. It uses advanced technology to take images of your breast from different angles and combine them to create a more complete and accurate image of your breast than is possible with regular 2D digital mammography. For a routine annual (screening) mammogram, women 40 and older do not need a written referral.
For patients experiencing unusual breast symptoms, a written referral is required for a diagnostic mammogram.
Screening for dense breasts
Annual mammograms are the best way to catch breast cancer early, but not all breasts are the same. Dense breast tissue can mask the appearance of tumors, making it more difficult for mammography to detect cancer.
If you are one of the 40% of women with dense breast tissue, your provider may recommend an MRI, whole breast ultrasound or automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) for additional screening and added peace of mind. Memorial Medical Center is the only facility in Las Cruces offering this advanced technology.
Step 2. What if everything looks normal?
Most mammograms don’t find anything out of the ordinary. If this is the case, schedule your next annual mammogram and keep an eye on your beast health throughout the year by performing self-exams. Visit your primary care provider immediately if any concerns arise.
Step 3. What if something doesn't look right?
If your provider spots something unusual, they may ask to schedule a breast ultrasound. A breast ultrasound uses medical sonography to obtain additional images of the breast that can help to identify benign or suspicious lesions. With the Mammo to Answers program, we will expedite unusual findings to a breast ultrasound.
Most unusual mammogram findings are not cancer. A breast ultrasound can show whether a breast lump is a fluid-filled breast cyst (usually not cancerous) or a solid mass (which could be cancer and may need further testing through a biopsy).
Step 4. What if something still doesn't look right?
If your breast ultrasound yields unusual findings, your provider may recommend a biopsy. A breast biopsy is a procedure that involves using a biopsy needle or surgery to remove a sample of your breast tissue so that a pathologist can examine it for breast cancer or other conditions.
A breast biopsy is the only diagnostic procedure that can definitively determine if a suspicious area is cancerous. Most often this will be a core needle biopsy (CNB). But in some situations, such as if the results of a needle biopsy aren’t clear, you might need a surgical biopsy. A pathologist then determines what type of disease, if any, is present.
At MMC’s Women’s Imaging Center, biopsies are performed by Rob Shoots, MD, who specializes in women’s imaging.
Step 5. What if it's breast cancer?
A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry! When detected early via a mammogram, breast cancer is often highly treatable. Cancer Warriors and MMC offer many resources that can help you.
MMC BREAST HEALTH PATIENT NAVIGATOR
Memorial Medical Cancer Center
Talk with your provider about your family history, areas of concern, and breast cancer risk. The sooner any form of breast cancer is detected, the greater the likelihood that treatment will be successful.
Schedule your screening mammogram today by calling 575.521.5270.
Find a Provider
Some breast screenings may require a provider order. Talk to your provider or find one today.