1. Breast Health
  2. Mammograms

Mammograms

Mammograms can save lives.

Our goal is to make it easy for you to schedule your annual mammogram whenever and wherever it makes sense based on your needs. Many of our locations offer evening and weekend hours and allow you to schedule your mammogram without a referral from your primary care provider.

We also offer mobile mammography events to bring essential breast screening close to where you live and work.

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is a specialized, low-dose X-ray of your breasts.

Getting an annual mammogram is one of the simplest, yet most powerful tools available to detect and diagnose breast cancer. At Novant Health, we use the latest in mammogram technology to provide remarkably detailed and precise images of your breasts. This allows us find breast cancer as early as possible, sometimes even up to three years before you start having symptoms. Cancers tend to be easiest to treat when they are discovered early, before they have a chance to spread. Early detection with a mammogram can also help make it so you need fewer breast biopsies later.

A health care provider is assisting and positioning a woman for a mammogram scan.

Who Should Get a Mammogram?

Even if you don't have any symptoms of breast cancer, you should get a mammogram each year if you are:

  • Assigned female at birth
  • 40 years old or older

However, if your mom or sister got breast cancer before they hit menopause, you should start getting annual mammograms 10 years before the age that family member was when they were diagnosed with breast cancer. For example, if your mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 45, you should start getting annual mammograms when you turn 35.

A grandmother is wearing a headscarf as she hugs and smiles at her adult daughter and grandchild.

Difference Between Screening & Diagnostic Mammograms

Screening mammograms

A screening mammogram is your routine mammogram that you get each year starting when you turn 40. You get a screening mammogram when you have no:

  • Breast condition symptoms
  • Prior history of breast cancer
  • Prior lumpectomies

Diagnostic mammograms

A diagnostic mammogram is an enhanced scan that can show the detail of smaller areas, different angles of breast tissue, or other variations as needed. Your care team may refer you for a diagnostic mammogram if you have a:

  • Routine screening mammogram that shows changes in your breast tissue
  • Previous breast cancer diagnosis
  • New concern in your breasts, such as:
    • Lumps
    • Abnormal breast pain, soreness, or sensitivity
    • Drainage
A Novant Health team member is standing behind a screen as a patient stands in a pink gown to have her mammogram screening.

Do you qualify for a mammogram grant?

If you do not have insurance and cannot afford a mammogram, call us to see if you qualify for a grant to pay for one:

Two team members and a woman are preparing for a mammography scan.

We bring mammography services to you.

Want to bring mammograms to your community or work? You can with Novant Health’s mobile mammography, a special 38-foot bus that travels to you. Our goal is to ensure everyone has access to high-quality breast health services, regardless of ability to travel to a full-service imaging center. Novant Health also offers mobile mammography events in various locations throughout the year.

To:

  • Schedule a mobile mammography visit: call us at the following number.
  • Find a mobile mammography event convenient to you: visit the mobile mammography events calendar.