
3D Screening Mammogram in Colorado
We offer the most advanced 3D Mammogram Screening to see beyond dense breast tissue and detect the smallest and earliest abnormalities.

The Importance of Routine Mammogram Screenings
A digital 3D screening mammogram is a low-dose x-ray of each breast. This technology captures multiple images from various angles of the breast to provide a more detailed view of the underlying breast tissue. Because screenings can detect small, subtle abnormalities before they can be felt on an exam, the American Cancer Society recommends women 40 years of age or older to perform regular annual or biennial mammograms to look for the earliest signs of breast cancer.
Screening mammography is considered preventive and is usually covered by most health insurance plans. Mammogram abnormalities may present as:
- Distortion
- Masses
- Small white spots called cluster microcalcifications.
Abnormalities may be hard to visualize without advanced radiology imaging and interpretation. Obtaining the clearest images of the breast with 3D mammograms provides the best opportunity for early detection.
How to Prepare for your 3D Screening Mammogram
When you schedule your routine mammogram screening, be sure to let us know if you have any of the following:
- Breast implants
- History of breast cancer
- Dense breast tissue
- Family history of breast cancer
- Require extra exam time
- Need additional accommodations such as:
- Wheelchair use or dependant who need front-door wheelchair access;
- Difficulty standing without assistance for 20 minutes;
- Hearing impaired or needing a translator who can be provided by us upon advanced request.
If you live a long distance away, let us know if you need your images read at the time of your exam. Please also let us know if you will be having any breast surgery, starting hormones, or beginning any treatment in the near future so that we may forward your results to all specialists involved.
On the day of your appointment, we ask that you not apply deodorant. Wear a two-piece outfit if possible. You will change into a robe that gives the mammography technologist better access to perform the imaging exam.
Please tell us the location of your prior examinations so that we may request these ahead of your visit. Many radiology departments use PowerShare to electronically send your images to us. Note that some facilities will not release the outside images to us until you have signed a release form. Our digital film librarian will gladly facilitate this process for you at: 303-321-2273 x 237

Your Dedicated Care Team
At The Women’s Imaging Center, you will have full support from a dedicated Care Team. Your Care Team consists of a mammography technologist, a specialized radiologist, a medical assistant, and a patient navigator. If an abnormality is discovered by screening or medical diagnostic imaging, the experience behind your Care Team allows you to rest assured that you are in the most capable hands.
If a minimally invasive biopsy is needed, results are typically available as soon as the next day. Our free-standing Centers throughout Denver Metro areas ensure that the best Care Team will be assembled if an abnormal or suspicious imaging finding requires further consultation or treatment from other specialists, such as surgeons or oncologists.
What to Expect During a Mammogram Screening
The technologist will position each breast onto a rectangular curved paddle and then apply gentle pressure. The amount of pressure needed for the correct exposure is based on the thickness and density of the breast.
We want to keep the breast in the same position, to avoid motion that may cause blurriness of the image. The mammography technologist will ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds while she obtains the exposure. Typically, two views of each breast are obtained. You will be repositioned four times (once for each view of each breast). If you have breast implants, four views will be obtained for each breast, for a total of eight images.
If you have prior mammograms elsewhere, they may be requested for the radiologist to compare before an opinion is rendered. You should receive a result letter in the mail within a week if no previous mammogram comparison is needed. Please check your address carefully on your intake form, as the letter will be sent to that address. A report will also be faxed to the ordering clinician you list on your intake form.
Mammogram Screening Near Me
Meet Our Specialists
Kelly McAleese, M.D.
Timothy Colt, M.D.
Barbara Jaeger, M.D.
John Lewin, M.D.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mammograms
A 3D Screening Mammography is “the big picture” while Diagnostic Mammography is “the detail”. A screening mammogram is a routine low-dose x-ray of the breasts performed to detect small abnormalities before they can be felt on an exam. A diagnostic mammogram is performed to evaluate a breast concern such as breast lump, discharge, pain, or to further characterize an abnormal area seen on a screening mammogram.
The mammography technologist will walk you through the process of what is needed to obtain the best images. The technologist will position each breast onto a rectangular curved paddle of the mammogram machine and apply gentle pressure to obtain the x-ray images. You will hold your breath for a few seconds for each view to avoid motion on the images. The technologist will provide instructions on how and when you will obtain your results.
Screening Mammograms are able to detect findings as small as grains of sand or subtle masses before they can be felt on palpation. The patterns of the mammogram abnormalities determine the degree of suspicion. Most abnormal findings on a screening mammogram prove to be benign (noncancerous) on additional mammogram views or ultrasound. Findings that are persistently suspicious on the additional evaluation are biopsied.
If you are called back for “a closer look at an area” after a 3D mammogram screening, remember that most findings on a mammogram prove to be benign after additional workup. Since all of The Women’s Imaging Centers are integrated, we can quickly and seamlessly complete your diagnostic imaging workup. An abnormal finding may be related to fibrocystic or hormonal changes of the breast.
Additional imaging may be recommended, including diagnostic mammography or medical diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound. These radiology images help to further characterize an area on the screening mammogram to distinguish benign (noncancerous) findings from malignancy (cancer).
If you are called back for added imaging, you will be able to discuss your results with the radiologist. If there is still a question after the diagnostic breast imaging, the radiologist may recommend a minimally invasive breast biopsy. All of our minimally-invasive breast biopsies are performed in our Centers for your comfort and convenience. If a biopsy is indicated, then results will be available within two working days.
Your Care Team ensures the continuity of care from screening to diagnosis to treatment. If treatment for an atypical, precancerous, or cancer result is needed, we can perform any additional pretreatment imaging, such as MRI or needle localization, at The Women’s Imaging Center.
Our Care Team and navigator will coordinate your care with other specialists, including the radiologist, surgeon, or other specialists based on the recommendation of your referring clinician or within the continuity of care following the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines or the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommendations.
If you are in need of an emergency mammogram, do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible so we can get you into one of our many locations in the Denver area.