premiere Breast imaging for the ozarks
When it comes to your health, you deserve to feel confident and cared for. We are a highly specialized group of doctors passionate about providing women in Southwest Missouri with the best possible outcomes for their breast health.
We take pride in offering personalized patient care, a relaxing environment, and a spa-like experience for your mammogram day. Our mission is to provide more women with imaging, screenings, and care from a trusted support team.
An entirely new imaging experience for Southwest Missouri
Choosing where get your mammogram can make all the difference!
Get accurate, trusted results quickly so that you can get back to focusing on your family, friends, and work – the things that matter most. At BIO every detail is designed to dissolve stress and transport you away from the hospital clinic and into a spa-like state-of-the-art imaging center.
100% specialized in women’s imaging
BIO offers the full range of screening and diagnostic imaging for breast and bone health, all performed at one location, and in most cases, during the same visit.
Expert Doctors
BIO radiologists have specialized training in breast imaging and are experienced with reading and interpreting tens of thousands of mammograms. research shows that the experience of the radiologist is the most critical factor in ensuring the most accurate results.
Top Technology
All equipment at BIO is brand new and state-of-the-art. We also have new technology not otherwise offered in the region such as hand-held screening breast ultrasound directly supervised by our radiologists, and contrast-enhanced mammography, a comparable cost-effective alternative to breast MRI for high-risk screening and beyond.
Care tailored to your individual needs, even if you are high-risk
Our Risk Assessment Consultation identifies each woman’s risk and tailors their screening program to their individual needs. Some women will benefit from starting screening before age 40, and some will need supplemental screening methods such as screening breast ultrasound or contrast-enhanced mammography.
Experienced technologists
Employing only the most experienced technologists means quicker, more comfortable exams for our patients, and better image quality for the most accurate results
Spa-like amenities
A mammogram that feels more like a day at the spa. BIO is dedicated to cultivating a luxurious experience from the moment you walk through the door. Warm robes, soft music, gourmet snacks and drinks, every detail designed to soothe and relax – which results in a better exam and keeps our patients coming back each year for this important test.
Same-day results
We know that waiting can create a lot of anxiety for patients. At the Breast Center, patients and referring physicians will receive same-day screening and diagnostic testing results.
“Patient information – FAQs”
Are screening mammograms important?
Mammograms save lives. The next one could be yours. Screening mammograms are the single best tool to find breast cancer at its earliest stages – long before you or your doctor can feel a lump. One simple test can make a life-saving difference. At BIO you will have your mammogram performed by skilled technologists and interpreted by experts in breast imaging. It is our mission to fight breast cancer through early and accurate detection; to save lives by catching cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.
When should I start getting mammograms and how often?
Every major American medical organization with expertise in breast cancer care, including the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), American Cancer Society, American College of Radiology, and Society of Breast Imaging recommend that women begin yearly screening mammograms at age 40. Women who have a higher risk of developing breast cancer due to family history or other factors may need to start breast cancer screening at an earlier age. Before your mammogram the technologist will ask several questions about your personal health and family histories to determine your risk. With that information the radiologist will develop a personalized breast cancer screening plan just for you.
When should I stop getting mammograms?
The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age, with a majority of women being diagnosed after the age of 50. According to the American Cancer Society women should continue to undergo mammographic screening annually for as long as they are in good health.
What happens when I get called back from the waiting room?
Before your exam you will be given an individual dressing room with a locker that you may lock to secure your belongings. We ask that you remove any jewelry that might interfere with the x-ray picture and undress above the waist. You will wear the luxurious spa robe provided for your test(s) and will return to your dressing room when finished.
What happens during my mammogram? Does it hurt?
One at a time your breasts will be positioned onto a flat plate that will acquire the images while a paddle compresses your breast tissue. Firm compression is needed for a quality examination. You will be instructed to hold your breath for just a few seconds while the machine acquires an image. You may be asked to raise your arm or to use your hand to hold your other breast out of the way. Pictures are taken from the top and from the side of each breast. The entire exam takes approximately 15 minutes. Most women do not experience pain while getting their mammogram, but varying levels of discomfort are reported. Our highly experienced technologists will ensure that you are in the most comfortable position possible and will complete your exam quickly, lessening the length of time in compression.
Can I have a mammogram if I have breast implants?
Yes! Patients with implants undergo screening mammogram routinely without any problems. Let your technologist know that you have implants before your examination so they can perform special images in order to better evaluate your breast tissue. It is extremely rare for breast implants to be damaged during a mammogram. The benefits of early detection of breast cancer far outweigh this risk.
Should I be doing self-breast exams?
Mammography is currently the best test to find breast cancer early. However, about 10% of cancers cannot be seen mammographically. Therefore, it is still recommended that women have a clinical breast exam, which is a physical examination of the breasts performed by a healthcare professional, on a regular basis. Being familiar with how your breasts look and feel is also important so you can alert your clinician if you notice any changes. This is called breast self-awareness. Many experts now say that women should focus on breast self-awareness instead of doing a breast self-examination (BSE) as was previously advised. Breast self-awareness is more about knowing what is normal for your breasts than it is about following a certain method and schedule. Knowing your body and having good beast self-awareness will allow you to notice even small changes right away.
What are breast changes that I should be concerned about? What do I do if I notice something new with my breasts?
Call your provider if you notice any changes in your breasts that concern you. These changes may include a lump, skin reddening or thickening, clear or bloody discharge from the nipple or new nipple inversion.
I noticed that my mammogram report mentioned breast density, what does that mean?
Breast density is important because women who have dense breast tissue have a slightly higher chance of developing breast cancer than women with average or fatty breast density. Dense breast tissue also makes it more difficult for cancer to be seen on mammograms. Breast density is determined by the radiologist who reads your mammogram. They will assign you one of four categories of breast density:
Almost entirely fatty
Scattered fibroglandular tissue
Heterogeneously dense
Extremely dense
If you have heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breasts, and depending on your individual breast cancer risk, you may be advised to have a supplemental screening test, such as whole-breast ultrasound or contrast-enhanced mammography in conjunction with your annual mammogram.
Am I high-risk?
Knowing your breast cancer risk is important. Every patient undergoes a risk questionnaire and assessment prior to their mammogram. If your average lifetime risk for developing breast cancer is calculated as 20% or greater, you are considered high-risk. Being classified as high-risk can mean access to additional screening options as well as insurance coverage for these studies.
Insurance/Cost
A Missouri law that went into effect in 2019 requires all health insurance plans, Medicare and Medicaid to cover yearly 3D screening mammograms for women aged 40 and older. For uninsured women, BIO offers low-cost mammograms that are the most affordable in the area.