MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS REGINA ADDS BREAST IMAGING SERVICES

Mayfair Diagnostics is pleased to announce that we have expanded our services at Mayfair Diagnostics Regina. Our clinic now offers breast ultrasound and mammography services, in addition to general ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and X-ray services.

Mayfair Diagnostics Regina began offering community breast imaging services on July 2, 2024. There is a critical need for breast imaging in Saskatchewan and we are committed to reducing wait times, improving access to care, and providing a positive patient experience.

Mammography uses low-dose X-ray technology to capture detailed images of the internal structure of breast tissue by rotating in an arc to capture multiple images from many different angles. The computer then processes them to create a 3D image of the breast, which can reveal changes that are too small to feel.

Early detection saves lives. Breast cancer will affect one in eight women in Canada, but if you find it early, there is less chance of recurrence and an increased chance that it has not spread to the lymph nodes, so the odds are better you will survive it. In 2017, 89% of women diagnosed with breast cancer were still alive after five years.

A breast ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to help determine the composition of a lump or area of concern, distinguishing between a cyst, fibroglandular tissue, and a solid mass. Since the pitch, direction, and distance sound waves travel differ depending on what they run into, a computer can interpret this information as a two-dimensional image on a screen and provide information about the area of concern.

WHEN ARE MAMMOGRAPHY AND BREAST ULTRASOUND ORDERED?

A diagnostic mammogram exam may be requested to:

• Detect, locate, and determine the stage of breast cancer, as well as assess the effects of chemotherapy.
• Determine the cause of breast pain, nipple discharge, thickening of skin on the breast, or changes in the size or shape of the breast.
• Distinguish between scar tissue and recurrent tumours.
• Evaluate the integrity of breast implants.
• Examine symptoms of a breast abnormality.
• Follow up from previous breast imaging.
• Investigate a possible abnormality shown on a screening mammography.

Breast ultrasound is ordered to investigate a specific concern, such as:

• To identify the cause for symptoms, including lumps, pain, or redness.
• If a doctor has discovered an abnormality on a mammogram or other imaging types.
• If you have extremely dense breast tissue (Volpara D).
• If you have heterogeneously dense breast tissue (Volpara C) AND your medical and/or family history puts you at high risk for breast malignancy.

WHAT IS BREAST DENSITY?

Your breasts are made up of different types of tissue: fibroglandular and connective tissue, and fat. At Mayfair Diagnostics mammography clinics our equipment has software that helps determine your breast density – a measure of the proportion of fatty (not dense) versus connective and fibroglandular (dense) tissue that make up your breast. Breast density does NOT have to do with the size, look, or feel of your breast.

For women, breast density is the most prevalent risk factor for breast cancer. Breast density is scored from A to D:

• A – Almost entirely fatty: There is almost no dense tissue, which makes abnormalities easy to detect. About 10% of women are in this category.
• B – Scattered fibroglandular densities: Scattered areas of density, but the majority of tissue is fatty. About 40% of women are in this category.
• C – Heterogeneously dense: More than half the breast is dense tissue. About 40% of women are in this category.
• D – Extremely dense: Nearly all of the tissue is dense. About 10% of women are in this category. This may make it hard to see a cancer on a mammogram because the cancer can blend in with the normal tissue.

ABOUT MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS REGINA

Located in unit 135 at 1621 Albert Street, our clinic is in the Regina Centre Crossing building at the corner of Albert Street and Dewdney Avenue.

Mayfair Diagnostics Regina has been providing community diagnostic X-ray and ultrasound services in Regina since 2011, and publicly funded MRI services since September 2014. Mayfair has also been providing private MRI services (in accordance with Saskatchewan legislation) since 2016.

HOW DO I GET MEDICAL IMAGING AT REGINA CENTRE CROSSING?

To determine what imaging is appropriate for you, your doctor will often review your medical and family history, risk factors, how long symptoms have been present, and how they affect daily activities. If this exam is indicated as a best next course of action, your doctor will book your appointment, or they may provide you with a requisition for you to book the appointment. X-ray services are walk-in and don’t require an appointment.

Once your exam is completed, your images will be reviewed by a specialized radiologist who will compile a report that is sent to your doctor.

Please note that Mayfair Diagnostics Regina has operating hours that are specific to each modality. Please visit our clinic page for more information.