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Breast Health

Breast Screenings in Amarillo, TX

At BSA Health System’s Harrington Breast Center, our breast health specialists and radiologists are committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of our patients. Using state-of-the-art technology, we offer exceptional breast cancer screenings services, including breast MRI, digital mammography, and genetic counseling services. Whether you are coming in for a routine screening or an MRI for breast evaluation, our compassionate team is here to support you every step of the way. Stay proactive with your health by taking advantage of our breast cancer screening services, designed to offer you peace of mind and the highest level of breast care.

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Breast Health Locations

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Digital Mammography

Digital mammography is different from conventional mammography in how the image of the breast is acquired and viewed. Your radiologist can magnify the image and increase or decrease the contrast during the reading, which allows them to be as thorough as possible in evaluating areas of concern.

Screening mammography continues to provide the greatest weapon we have against breast cancer. The Harrington Breast Center detects breast cancer using state-of-the-art technology and procedures, including Selenia digital mammography and Computer Aided Detection (CAD) technology. CAD double-checks all of our screening mammograms, and has been shown to increase breast cancer detection by up to 20%.

We also proudly offer the innovative MammoReader, a CAD system that searches for all primary signs of breast cancer. The MammoReader does not replace your regular screening mammogram; it is an ancillary screening procedure that is similar to having a “second set of eyes” to review your mammogram. After your mammogram is performed, the MammoReader scans your films digitally, and the computer analyzes the images for signs of breast cancer, identifying areas of concern for the doctor to review. This technology has been shown to increase detection of breast cancer by up to 20%.

Schedule your mammogram online or call 806-212-1905

Mobile mammography

Take advantage of the region’s only mobile mammography program today. Since 1989, The Harrington Breast Center Mobile Outreach Program has provided mobile mammography for the women of the High Plains and is the largest mobile mammography screening program in the state of Texas.

Our mobile mammography unit offers:

  • Fast appointments at convenient times
  • Full-field digital mammography equipment
  • Quick reporting back to patients
  • Screenings performed inside our self-contained unit

Businesses, clinics and hospitals throughout the region are encouraged to invite the Mobile Mammography Coach to come to their location to offer breast screening services.

Call 806-212-1905 or 1-800-377-4673 to schedule your mammogram either at the BSA Harrington Breast Center or the next time our mammography coach comes to your city.

Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A Breast MRI is a powerful imaging test that uses magnetic resonance technology to detect abnormalities in breast tissue that may be missed by mammograms or ultrasounds. It is particularly beneficial for women at high risk for breast cancer, offering enhanced clarity for evaluating dense breast tissue and detecting potential issues early. This advanced screening tool can provide crucial insights for personalized care, making it an important part of breast health monitoring for those needing a more in-depth evaluation.

The American Cancer Society recommends MRIs for breast evaluation for women who meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • You are a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child) of someone with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation
  • You have a lifetime risk of breast cancer that has been scored at 20 to 25% or greater, based on risk-assessment tools that look at family history and other factors
  • You had past radiation treatment to the chest between the ages of 10 and 30
  • You have Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome (BRRS), or the possibility of having one of these syndromes based on the health history of a first-degree relative

Most studies indicate that an abnormality that is negative on both a mammogram and an ultrasound has less than a 5% chance of turning out to be cancer. But MRI imaging at the Harrington Breast Center offers a closer level of scrutiny. Breast MRI is an indispensable part of patient care for many women, including women at a high risk of developing breast cancer, women currently undergoing cancer treatment, and women with positive mammograms and ultrasounds.

If you have questions about any of these criteria, talk to your primary care physician or contact Harrington Breast Center’s high-risk breast specialist.  We also offer digital mammography services at our breast imaging center. Talk to your doctor about which diagnostic test is right for you.

Harriginton Breast Center’s High-Risk Breast Specialist

Call (806) 212-0634

Breast Cancer Risk Assessment

(BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes)

A breast cancer risk assessment evaluates genetic markers, including the BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes, which significantly increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer. Identifying these genetic risks allows for personalized screening plans and early intervention strategies to reduce the risk of cancer development.

Patients with any of the following personal or family history features may be candidates for hereditary cancer testing:

  • 2 or more breast cancers in a family, one underage 50
  • A previously identified BRCA mutation in the family
  • Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry with breast or ovarian cancer at any age
  • Both breast cancer and ovarian cancer diagnosed in the same individual at any age
  • Breast cancer before age 50
  • Male breast cancer at any age
  • Ovarian cancer at any age

If any of the above criteria is present in the family, your risk of developing breast cancer increases.

Depending on the results of your screening, you may be recommended for the BSA Harrington Breast Center High Risk Program, where our interdisciplinary team of breast care specialists will provide you an individualized plan of care to include comprehensive risk assessment, discussion of risk reduction measures and strategies for earlier detection.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment for Genetic Screening, call 806-212-0634.

High Risk Breast Cancer Program

The Harrington Breast Center’s High Risk Program is a unique program that offers comprehensive risk assessment, education about risk reduction and specialized tools for earlier detection. Our dedicated team works closely with patients to create personalized care plans, empowering you to take proactive steps in managing your breast health.

You may be at higher risk of developing breast cancer if you have…

  • A family member who was diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50
  • A history of breast cancer
  • A male relative with breast cancer
  • Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
  • Atypical cells detected during a breast biopsy
  • Chest mantle radiation for lymphoma
  • Several family members who were diagnosed with breast cancer and/or ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer
  • Someone in your family tested positive for a known breast cancer mutation such as BRCA 1 or 2, or PTEN (Cowden’s Syndrome)

You may self-refer or your physician may refer you for a risk assessment. Contact Harrington’s High Risk Breast Nurse at (806) 212-0634. When you call, our High Risk will briefly review your history with you over the phone to determine if you might benefit from a risk assessment consultation.

At the consultation, the High Risk Breast Nurse will discuss your family history in greater detail. You will need to be prepared with information about relatives such as that type of cancer and age diagnosed. If possible, bring with you the pathology reports of family members diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. If imaging was done at a facility other than HBC, please bring the actual films of your most recent mammogram. At the conclusion of your consultation, you may wish to enter the High Risk Program, where you and Harrington’s team of breast specialists will work together to develop an individualized plan of care to reduce risk factors and ensure earlier detection.

Our high risk cancer program features:

  • Breast MRI services
  • Breast pathology review
  • Clinical breast exams
  • Consultation with our High Risk Breast Nurse
  • Genetic counseling and testing (BRCA) as indicated
  • Individualized plan of care
  • Mammography studies
  • Ongoing cancer surveillance
  • Surgical and pharmacologic risk reduction strategies

To learn more, please contact Harrington’s High Risk Breast Specialist at 806-212-0634.

Early Detection Screening Guidelines

In alignment with the Society of Breast Imaging guidance, BSA Harrington Breast Center and High Plains Radiological Association advise waiting four to six weeks after receiving your final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to schedule your regular screening mammogram. Due to a common vaccine side effect of swollen lymph nodes, it could affect the results of your mammogram. To optimally time your appointment, you can schedule through MyChart or call 806-212-1905.

Please view these Breast Screening Guideline as recommended by the American College of Radiology:

  • Mammography: Yearly beginning at age 40.
  • Clinical breast exam by a healthcare professional: Every three years from 20 to 39 years of age or early beginning at age 40.
  • Breast self-exam: Beginning in their 20s, women should be aware of how their breasts normally feel and report changes to a health professional.
  • Breast MRI: Women at high risk for breast cancer should get a breast MRI and a mammogram yearly.

Did you know?

  1. All women ages 40 and older are at risk for breast cancer.
  2. Breast cancer will affect one woman in eight at some point in her lifetime.
  3. Breast cancer can be treated successfully if it is detected early enough.
  4. Mammography can detect breast cancer before a lump can be felt by a woman or her physician.
  5. Women need to follow screening guidelines for age and frequency for screening.
  6. Mammography is a low-risk, quick, and painless procedure.

Financial Assistance

For women who are not covered by insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or other funding sources for screening and diagnostic mammography, assistance may be available. Women who cannot afford a mammogram can request financial assistance from BSA Harrington Breast Center.

Qualify for financial assistance for breast screenings

Call toll-free at 800-377-4673

Breast Health Locations