Breast Screening & Diagnostic Patient Preparation Instructions

The St. Anthony Hospital Breast Center offers a full spectrum of comprehensive breast screening and diagnostic services. Information and pre-procedure instructions for all of our breast services with the drop down menu below. If you have questions or concerns, please call us at 720-321-0400.
If you have prior films, please download and return this release, and we will handle the transfer process.

- Select a Breast Center Procedure - Digital Mammogram Tomosynthesis 3D Mammogram DXA Bone Scan Breast UltraSound Breast MRI Breast Biopsies Breast Aspiration Breast Needle Localization Sentinal Node Injection Ductography Mammogram Tomosynthesis 3D Mammogram DXA Bone Density Scan Breast Ultrasound Breast MRI Stereotactic Biopsy Breast Aspiration Breast Needle Localization Ductography

Digital Mammogram

• Do not use deodorant, lotions or perfumes on breast, chest or under arm areas.
• Do not schedule a mammogram the week prior to your period.
• If you are on hormones, schedule during the period of time you are not taking hormones.
• Provide previous mammography films.

Tomosynthesis 3D Mammogram
Breast tomosynthesis is a revolutionary technology that gives radiologists the ability to identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue. These images are then used to produce a series of one-millimeter thick slices that can be viewed as a 3D reconstruction of the breast.

• Do not use deodorant, lotions or perfumes on breast, chest or under arm areas.
• Do not schedule a mammogram the week prior to your period.
• If you are on hormones, schedule during the period of time you are not taking hormones.
• Provide previous mammography films.

DXA Bone Density Scan

• Do not take daily calcium supplements or multivitamins until after your exam

Breast Ultrasound

• No specific preparation is necessary
• Please provide previous mammogram or ultrasound fims or results.

 Breast MRI

• No specific preparation is necessary
• Please provide previous mammogram films.

Stereotactic, Ultrasound Guided or MRI Guided Breast Biopsy

• Previous films are required prior to scheduling
• You will need to let us know if you are on blood thinners.
• Light meal prior and minimal liquids 4 hours prior.
• Driver recommended.
• Avoid strenuous activity/heavy lifting for 72 hours post procedure.

Breast Aspiration
Drains fluid from the breast.

• Previous films are required prior to scheduling
• You will be asked to discontinue blood thinners if approved by prescribing doctor.

Breast Needle Localization
Determines the precise location of abnormal breast tissue prior to performing a breast biopsy.

• Previous films are required prior to scheduling
• You will be asked to discontinue blood thinners if approved by prescribing doctor.
• You MUST have a driver.

Sentinal Node Injection
These are done prior to a surgical biopsy to determine to which nodes the area of concern drains to first.

• Previous films are required prior to scheduling
• You will be asked to discontinue blood thinners if approved by prescribing doctor.
• You MUST have a driver.

Ductography
Used to evaluate abnormal or persistent nipple discharge.

• No specific preparation is necessary
• Please provide previous mammogram films.