# Book your 3D mammogram this October *October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month* Every mammogram at Desert Imaging is 3D, at four El Paso centers open evenings and Saturdays. A screening mammogram needs no doctor's order, and most insurance plans cover it in full. - About 10 minutes - No doctor's order for a screening - Most plans cover it at 100 percent - Four centers, evenings and Saturdays ## Why October October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For many women it is the reminder to book the screening they have been putting off, and a good moment to ask a mother, sister or friend when hers is. The American College of Radiology recommends a screening mammogram every year starting at age 40 for women at average risk. Your doctor decides what is right for you, based on your age, your family history and your breast density. ## How it works 1. **Request your appointment** Fill in the form on this page or call. For a screening mammogram you do not need a doctor's order. We do need the name of a provider to send your report to. 2. **Come in** Wear a two-piece outfit and skip deodorant, lotion and perfume on your breasts and underarms that day. Bring a photo ID and your insurance card. If your last mammogram was somewhere else, tell us where so the radiologist can compare. 3. **Get your results** One of our board-certified radiologists reads your exam. The report goes to your provider, usually within 24 to 48 hours, and appears in your patient portal. ## Where to go Four of our five centers do 3D mammography, and all four are open Saturdays. Pick the one closest to you. - [West](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/west/3d-mammography): 122 W. Castellano Dr., El Paso, TX 79912. Open Saturdays. - [East](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/lee-trevino/3d-mammography): 1727 Lee Trevino Dr., El Paso, TX 79935. Open Saturdays. - [Joe Battle](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/joe-battle/3d-mammography): 3080 Joe Battle Blvd., Suite B, El Paso, TX 79938. Open Saturdays. - [Horizon City](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/horizon-city/3d-mammography): 13650 Eastlake Blvd., Suite A-102, Horizon City, TX 79928. Open Saturdays. ## Every mammogram we do is 3D A 3D mammogram, also called breast tomosynthesis, takes a series of low-dose pictures in a light arc over the breast and stacks them into thin layers. The radiologist reads the breast one layer at a time instead of one flat picture, so normal tissue overlapping abnormal tissue hides less. All four centers use Hologic Selenia Dimensions systems with the Genius 3D Mammography exam. The same system rides on our mobile unit, Mammos on the Move. - [Read more: 3D mammography vs. 2D](https://desertimagingcenters.com/blog/3d-mammography-vs-2d-what-changes-for-you) ## Common questions ### Where can I get a 3D mammogram in El Paso? At four Desert Imaging centers: West, 122 W. Castellano Dr., home of The Women's Center at Desert Imaging; East, 1727 Lee Trevino Dr.; Joe Battle, 3080 Joe Battle Blvd., Suite B; and Horizon City, 13650 Eastlake Blvd., Suite A-102. West and East are open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Joe Battle and Horizon City are open Saturdays too; call (915) 577-0100 for their hours. You can request a screening mammogram yourself with our mammography self-request form. ### Do I need a doctor's order for a screening mammogram? You can request a screening mammogram yourself. Fill in our mammography self-request form and bring it, or ask when you book. A diagnostic mammogram needs an order from your doctor. ### Is a 3D mammogram covered by insurance? Most plans cover a screening mammogram at 100 percent, with no cost to you. A diagnostic mammogram is billed like other exams, so a copay or deductible may apply. Ask us when you book if you are not sure. ### What does my result mean? The radiologist reports your mammogram on a standard scale from 0 to 6 called BI-RADS, set by the American College of Radiology. A 0 means more pictures or a comparison with older mammograms are needed. A 1 or 2 is normal or benign. A 3 is probably benign, with a follow-up mammogram in about six months. A 4 or 5 means the radiologist recommends a biopsy. A 6 is used only for a cancer already confirmed by biopsy, for example to see how it responds to treatment. Your doctor will go over your result with you. ### How often should I have a mammogram? Your doctor decides when you should start and how often, based on your age, family history and breast density. Bring your previous mammogram or tell us where it was done, so the radiologist can compare year to year. ### What is dense breast tissue? Breasts are a mix of glandular and fatty tissue. Dense breasts have more glandular tissue, which looks white on a mammogram, the same as a possible tumor. Texas law requires us to tell you if your breasts are dense. Your doctor may add an ultrasound, which insurance may not cover in full. ## Read here in El Paso Your mammogram is read by our board-certified radiologists, in El Paso since 2002. [Meet our radiologists](https://desertimagingcenters.com/about/radiologists) ## Request your mammogram Send the request below and we will get back to you to confirm the date and center. Or call us and we will book it on the phone. - [Request your mammogram](https://eforms.abbadox.com/240384671438865) - Call (915) 577-0100 - Prefer paper? Print the mammography self-request form and bring it with you. [PDF](https://desertimagingcenters.com/forms/mammography-self-request.pdf)