Mammography & Bone Density Screening Services

One in nine women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Yet, more than 90 percent survive if it is found and treated early - before it spreads beyond the breast. Early, accurate diagnosis is as important to a woman's survival as any element of treatment.

Northeast Women's Health Services provides comprehensive breast care and mammography services at Albany Memorial Hospital, the Women's Health Center at Samaritan Hospital, and Northeast Health Imaging Center, including:

Instruction in breast self-examination (BSE)
Mammography services accredited by the American College of Radiology
State-of-the-art digital mammography with ImageChecker, the newest digital technology for analyzing mammography images. ImageChecker can greatly assist in the early detection of breast cancer. In fact, clinical studies have shown that for every 100,000 cancers currently identified during mammography screening in the US, use of the ImageChecker could result in an additional 20, 500 cancers being detected each year.
MammoPad, a soft foam cushion, helps with the discomfort many women feel during mammography.

For uninsured and underinured women, Samaritan Hospital participates in the Healthy Living Partnership by providing free breast screening services, including mammograms and diagnostic breast ultrasound. Through the partnership, uninsured and under-insured patients without a personal physician are referred to the Northeast Health Primary Care Network for cervical exams, Pap tests and colo-rectal cancer screening.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, or "porous bones," is a potentially crippling disease than can cause disability, pain, deformity, depression and loss of independence. Considered a "silent disease," osteoporosis occurs as part of the normal aging process, as bones become more fragile and are more prone to fracture. Osteoporosis affects 50 percent of women over 45, and 90 percent over age 75, yet the risk can be reduced by leading a healthy lifestyle.

Who's at risk?

Female gender
Aging
Caucasian or Asian heritage
Small-boned body type
Personal history of a fracture as an adult
Family history
Diet low in calcium and vitamin D
Smoking
Moderate to heavy alcohol use
High intake of caffeine
Inadequate physical activity
Estrogen deficiency
Medications such as steroids, thyroid hormones, anticonvulsants

How can I find out if I have osteoporosis?

Talk with your healthcare provider and use the risk factors as a general guideline. Together you can decide if you should have a bone mineral density (BMD) test, available at both Albany Memorial Hospital and the Women's Health Center at Samaritan Hospital.

And, we also offer an array of services to help reduce your risk factors, including:

Nutritional counseling
Smoking cessation
Alcohol management
Exercise and fitness

To schedule a mammogram or bone mineral density (BMD) screening, go to our online appointment scheduling, or call:
Albany Memorial Hospital, (518) 471-3280
Women's Health Center at Samaritan, (518) 271-3288

To schedule a mammogram at Northeast Health Imaging Center in East Greenbush, call 880-6300.