Race and ethnicity impact a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. In fact, the lifetime risk of breast cancer for women in the U.S. is 12-13% %, but that rate is misleading without factoring in other factors such as hereditary risks of ethnicity, and socioeconomics.

• The highest rate of new breast cancer cases overall is seen in Caucasian and African American women
• The lowest rate of new breast cancer is found in American Indian/Alaska Native women

Although caucasian women are more likely to develop breast cancer than African American women, black women are more likely to present with aggressive breast cancer and present at later stages when the spread of the disease is more likely. Therefore, the mortality (chance of dying) of breast cancer is greater among black women.

How Does Socioeconomic Status Affect Breast Cancer?

In addition, different socioeconomic groups have a greater chance of being diagnosed later with breast cancer. If a woman does not have health insurance or she does not have easy access to care, she is less likely to perform preventative screening mammograms. Many communities have access to affordable low-cost mammogram centers or offer grants for free screening mammograms for women who qualify financially without insurance. In Denver and surrounding areas, several options may include STRIDE Clinic, Planned Parenthood, Jefferson County, Summit for women of Hispanic heritage, and Indian Health Services, among others. The Women’s Imaging Center offers free mammograms working with these community Clinics or low-cost imaging options for women who cannot obtain these grants. If you have a breast lump or severe breast symptoms such as persistent redness of the breast, nipple or skin retraction, or bloody nipple discharge, please tell your physician and /or call us immediately and alert us to the severity of your symptom so that we may help you obtain affordable diagnostic (already have a symptom) imaging and treatment when indicated.

Is The Lump in My Breast Cancerous?

By the time a woman feels a breast lump, the tumor is likely to be larger or more aggressive than if the breast lump had been found on a screening mammogram, and therefore the chance of surviving breast cancer may decrease. If a woman presents with a breast lump, it doesn’t mean that is cancer. Additional imaging such as a mammogram and/or breast ultrasound is performed to determine if the breast lump is cystic or solid. Solid masses have to then be biopsied by image-guided techniques including ultrasound breast biopsy or stereotactic breast biopsy to determine whether the breast lump represents benign or malignant (cancer) lumps.

What Can I Do to Prevent Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer prevention is an important factor in detecting breast cancers when they are small before they can be felt. That’s why obtaining a screening mammogram every one to two years is important starting by age 40 in most women. For some women with a strong family history of breast cancer, your physician may recommend that you start yearly mammograms earlier. Additional imaging studies such as breast MRI may be performed to complement the screening mammogram in high-risk women with a strong family history of breast cancer. Breast MRI imaging studies need to be approved by your insurance company, which we can assist in obtaining. Breast MRIs are also performed in women with a new diagnosis of breast cancer before surgery to help the surgeon plan the procedure.

About The Women’s Imaging Center:

The Women’s Imaging Center uses the highest-rated digital mammography systems made by Hologic, GE, and Siemens. The Women’s Imaging Center is committed to providing individualized, innovative, state-of-the-art health care to women in Denver and beyond. Our centers offer treatment of the whole woman, including breast and other imaging services for both women and men.

The Women’s Imaging Center offers the following services:

• 3D Mammograms
  • Screening Mammogram
  • Diagnostic Mammogram
• MRI
  • Breast MRI
  • Pelvic MRI
  • Shoulder MRI
  • Knee MRI
  • Brain MRI
  • Spine MRI
• Ultrasound
  • Pelvic Ultrasound
  • Breast ultrasound
  • Abdominal Ultrasound
  • Thyroid ultrasound
• Biopsy
  • Thyroid fine needle biopsy
  • Non-surgical breast biopsy
  • Stereotactic breast biopsy
  • Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy
  • Breast cyst aspiration
• DEXA/DXA
• Other imaging services

at affordable out-patient costs at The Women’s Imaging Centers in

• Denver/Cherry Creek
• West/Lakewood
• South/Highlands Ranch
• North/Westminster
• Smoky Hill/Centennial 

Schedule Your Appointment:

Call 303-321-CARE (2273) to schedule an appointment

or make an online appointment request.

The Women’s Imaging Center is committed to providing individualized, innovative, state-of-the-art healthcare to all women and men.