# 3D mammography in El Paso Desert Imaging does 3D mammograms at four El Paso centers: West on Castellano, East on Lee Trevino, Joe Battle and Horizon City. Every mammogram is a Hologic Genius 3D exam, screening if you have no symptoms, diagnostic if your doctor wants a closer look. ## What it is A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. 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. Compression is still part of the exam. It holds the breast still and spreads the tissue so the pictures are clear. The 3D exam adds no extra compression and takes about the same time as a 2D mammogram. There are two kinds. A screening mammogram is four pictures, two of each breast, for women with no symptoms. A diagnostic mammogram adds views when the radiologist needs a closer look at a cyst, a mass or calcifications, or when you have a lump, pain or discharge. Sometimes a breast ultrasound is added the same day. **Good to know:** A screening mammogram is for women with no symptoms. If you have a lump, pain or discharge, your doctor will order a diagnostic mammogram instead, and it may include an ultrasound. ## Where to get it - [West](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/west/3d-mammography): 122 W. Castellano Dr., El Paso, TX 79912. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Closed Sunday. - [East](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/lee-trevino/3d-mammography): 1727 Lee Trevino Dr., El Paso, TX 79935. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Closed Sunday. - [Joe Battle](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/joe-battle/3d-mammography): 3080 Joe Battle Blvd., Suite B, El Paso, TX 79938. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Closed Sunday. - [Horizon City](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/horizon-city/3d-mammography): 13650 Eastlake Blvd., Suite A-102, Horizon City, TX 79928. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Closed Sunday. ## What to expect Wear a two-piece outfit. Skip deodorant, powder, lotion and perfume on your breasts and underarms that day, since they can show up as spots on the pictures. If your last mammogram was somewhere else, bring it or tell us where it was done so the radiologist can compare. Tell the technologist about any breast symptoms or problems. A mammography technologist positions each breast on the platform and lowers the paddle. The pressure lasts a few seconds per picture and releases as soon as the image is taken. The whole exam takes about 10 minutes. One of our board-certified radiologists reads the exam. The report goes to your doctor, usually within 24 to 48 hours, and appears in your patient portal. Texas law, known as Henda's Law, requires us to tell you if you have dense breast tissue, because density can make a mammogram harder to read. Your doctor may then order an ultrasound as well. **How long it takes:** About 10 minutes. ## Our equipment - Hologic Selenia Dimensions systems with the Genius 3D Mammography exam at West, East, Joe Battle and Horizon City. - The same system rides on our mobile mammography unit, Mammos on the Move. ## Exams we perform From our physician order form. Your doctor names the exact study on the order. ### Women's imaging - Screening mammogram, 3D - Diagnostic mammogram, with breast ultrasound if indicated - Breast ultrasound - Breast elastography - Breast MRI - Female pelvic complete ultrasound ## How to prepare From our preparation sheet. Your appointment confirmation carries the instructions for your exact study. - Wear a two-piece outfit to your appointment. - Do not apply deodorant, perfume, oil, lotion or body powder to your breasts or underarms on the day of the exam. - Deodorant, powder and lotion can show on the mammogram as calcium spots. - Bring your most recent prior mammogram if it was done at a different facility. - Tell the technologist about any breast symptoms or problems. ## 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. ## Ready to book? Request an appointment online and bring your doctor's order. We take it from there. - [Request an appointment](https://eforms.abbadox.com/240384671438865) - Call (915) 577-0100