A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast. It can be used to check for breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease. Screening mammography is the type of mammogram that checks you when you have no symptoms. Regular high-quality screening mammograms and clinical breast exams (performed by your primary care provider or gynecologist) are the most sensitive ways to screen for breast cancer. 

The Clara Fairbanks Center for Women is the top provider of mammography services in the Wabash Valley. Our number one priority is meeting our patients' needs. We offer the advanced imaging technology to our patients including 3D mammography and digital mammography.

Screening (Annual) Mammograms

Screening mammograms will take approximately 30 to 40 minutes. You may schedule your screening mammogram by calling (812) 238-7766. We will need your primary care physician's name and address to send the results of your screening mammography. You may then obtain your screening results from your physician.

If your screening mammogram is normal, in approximately 7 to 10 days, you should receive a letter informing you of this. If you have not received this letter from Clara Fairbanks after 10 days please do not hesitate to give us a call. If there are changes or an abnormality, the radiologist will recommend that you return for additional imaging. We will notify your physician and request a written order for this additional imaging. Once the necessary order is received we will then call you to schedule an appointment. Please do not be alarmed if you receive this call. It does not necessarily mean that there is a problem, only that the standard views taken for a screening mammogram may not have given the radiologist enough information for a final result. If called back for additional imaging, expect to be at the center for approximately two hours. The radiologist will give you the results before you leave the center. 
 

Diagnostic (Problem-Focused) Mammograms

Diagnostic or problem-focused mammograms usually are scheduled by your primary care physician, and these procedures do require an order from your physician stating the reason for the study. Expect the diagnostic mammogram to take at least two hours. Additional imaging and possible breast ultrasound, if required, can be very time consuming. All diagnostic patients are given their mammography results before leaving the center.

Breast ultrasounds are available only with a physician's order and are not used as a screening study. A consultation with the radiologist is available upon request. Results will be sent to your physician in 3 to 5 working days. If our radiologist is waiting for mammograms or reports from an outside facility, this could delay your results.

3D Mammography

At Union Health, we understand that early detection of breast cancer saves lives. That’s why the Clara Fairbanks Center for Women offers the most advanced breast cancer detection available: tomosynthesis 3D breast imaging. This state-of-the-art technology pinpoints breast cancer at its earliest stages — before it can even be felt in a self-exam and when it’s most curable. For you, that means earlier detection. For us, that means being able to give you peace of mind in your healthcare.

Breast tomosynthesis may result in:

• earlier detection of small breast cancers
• greater accuracy in pinpointing the size, shape and location of breast abnormalities
• clearer images of abnormalities within dense breast tissue
• fewer unnecessary biopsies or additional tests
• greater likelihood of detecting multiple breast tumors

Studies have shown screening with breast tomosynthesis to result in fewer "call-backs" (instances where women are called back from screening for additional testing because of a potentially abnormal finding) and improved breast cancer detection rates.

Preparing for Your Mammogram

Steps to Prepare for Your Mammogram Appointment

• Remember to have mammograms and reports that were done at another facility either with you on the day of your appointment or sent to Clara Fairbanks at 1711 N. 6 1/2 St., Suite 300 Terre Haute, IN 47804, four to five days before your appointment.
• Avoid caffeinated products (coffee, tea, chocolate and colas) for one week before your appointment to reduce breast tenderness.
• Schedule your mammogram for the week following your period. This is when your breast are least tender (if you are still menstruating).
• Dress comfortably. A two-piece outfit is usually the most convenient because you will need to undress above the waist.
• Skip using any type of powders, deodorants, ointments or creams prior to your exam because they can affect the quality of the mammogram.

A technologist will assist you to complete a personal history form.

During the procedure each breast is placed on a platform in the mammogram machine. Each breast will be compressed between two smooth plastic plates. Compression lasts 15 to 20 seconds for each image. You can expect two to three images to be taken on each breast. The entire screening mammogram takes 15 to 20 minutes.

For your convenience, we have three locations: