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Programs and Services

Breast Care Services

Mammography
Finding and treating cancer early is the best way to fight breast cancer. A mammogram is a breast X-ray to spot problems and help doctors decide overall breast health. You may be able to feel a breast lump that is about the size of a quarter, but a mammogram can often find a lump as small as a pencil eraser. Using special equipment that presses the breast tissue, this test is fast and provides clear, high-quality X-ray images.

The American Cancer Society recommends women over 40 have a mammogram every year to check for breast cancer. You may need to start having mammograms earlier and more often if you have had breast cancer, breast problems or have a family history of breast cancer.

Two mammogram types
Talk to your doctor about the type of mammogram that is best for you.
  • Screening mammograms – screening mammograms are used if you have no lumps or other breast symptoms.
They generally take 10 to15 minutes.
  • Diagnostic mammograms – diagnostic mammograms are for men and women who have breast lumps, pain or
discharge. Fairview Breast Centers and selected Fairview sites have diagnostic mammograms. A doctor’s
referral is required for this type of mammogram.
Performed by trained technicians, a breast ultrasound uses sound waves to make a picture of the inside of the breast. It can show all parts of the breast and doesn't use X-rays. Breast ultrasounds are used to check abnormal mammogram results, look at dense tissue, watch for changes in a cyst or to see if a lump is fluid-filled or solid.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is used to find breast cancer or other breast problems. During a breast MRI, the technician will take many pictures of your breast that a computer will then put together for viewing. This is usually done when more information is needed beyond what a mammogram or ultrasound can provide. MRI is more often used to diagnose breast diseases or conditions. In some cases, it's used for screening if you have a high risk of breast cancer.

Breast biopsies
Sometimes a biopsy or test of the abnormal tissue in your breast is necessary to find out the cause of a lump or breast problem. There are many kinds of breast biopsies, including image-guided biopsies, that your doctor might recommend.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is done by a doctor using a thin needle to take out a small amount of tissue or fluid from a cyst or lump.
 
Core-needle biopsy
In a core-needle biopsy, a hollow needle is used to withdraw small cylinders of abnormal breast tissue.
 
Stereotactic core-needle biopsy
Stereotactic core needle biopsy uses X-ray equipment and a computer to find the exact location of where the needle needs to go. The hollow needle then withdraws small cylinders of abnormal breast tissue.
 
MRI-guided, core-needle biopsy 
During an MRI-guided, core-needle biopsy, computers are used to find a tumor and help aim the needle into the tumor. This is best for people with abnormal areas in the breast that can only be found by MRI.
 
Ultrasound-guided biopsy uses an instrument that sends out sound waves and a computer to make pictures of the breast lump. This is good for very small tumors or lumps.
 
Surgical (excisional) biopsy
A surgical biopsy is used to remove all or part of a lump so it can be looked at under a microscope. This removes the entire mass or abnormal area. This is done most often in the hospital.
 
Molecular breast imaging (MBI)
Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) is a new breast screening test that is very accurate. Patients are injected with a radioactive agent and a special camera tracks the agent in the breast to create images of abnormal areas.

Nurse navigators
Our nurse specialists are available throughout the breast cancer journey to answer your questions and offer support. The nurse navigators have advanced practice nursing degrees and extensive knowledge of breast cancer treatments and resources for patients and families.

Fairview features nearly 4,000 providers practicing at over 200 locations throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area and beyond. Fairview Clinics, University of Minnesota Physicians and our independent partner clinics provide an exceptional care experience, while lowering the overall costs of health care.

Hematology/Oncology

Getinet Ayalew, MD
Milena Elimelakh, MD
Purvi Gada, MD
L. Lisa Ge, MD
Priya Kumar, MD
Kiran Lassi, MD
M. Obinna Nwaneri, MD
David Potter, MD

Oncology

Gail Bender, MD
Barbara Bowers, MD
Purvi Gada, MD
David Potter, MD
Tara Rick, PA
Douglas Yee, MD
Fairview mammography ocationsONC_Mammo_Map_LgVert 

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