1560 N 115th St. Ste 104, Seattle WA, 98133
To request an appointment, call 206.668.1749 or schedule online.
Breast Cancer Screening & Prevention
Early detection with mammograms helps save lives and leads to better outcomes.
Breast Cancer Screening & Prevention
Early detection with mammograms helps save lives and leads to better outcomes.
Protect your health with a mammogram
It’s simple: Screenings save lives. According to the American Cancer Society, detecting breast cancer early is critical for effective treatment and better outcomes. Routine mammograms are an essential part of this process.
UW Medicine is the largest clinical, research and learning health system in the Pacific Northwest. Our primary care providers and specialists offer screenings and diagnostic services to help people understand their risk of breast cancer and detect the disease early. Our providers will help you choose the right screening for your needs.
Who should get a mammogram?
Your primary care provider can help you understand your risk for breast cancer and what screening regimen you should follow. The guidelines for mammograms depend on your risk level for breast cancer.
Please talk with your provider about your breast cancer risk, values and your desires, or if you are experiencing breast symptoms. Together, you can make the choice that is best for you.
Breast screening for women at average risk
If you are at average risk for breast cancer, you should follow these guidelines:
- Starting at age 40: Get a mammogram every one to two years.
- Ages 75+: You can choose to continue mammograms every one to two years based on your health and expected lifespan (typically 10 or more years)
You are considered at average risk if you:
- Have no personal history of breast cancer
- Have no strong family history of the disease
- Do not have a genetic mutation like BRCA
- Have never undergone chest radiation therapy before age 30
Note: These guidelines also apply to people who identify as transgender or non-binary.
Breast screenings for women at high risk
If you are at high risk for breast cancer based on certain risk factors (see below), you should follow these guidelines:
- Starting around age 30: Get a mammogram and breast MRI every year.
You are considered to have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of about 20% to 25% or greater, according to risk assessment tools that are based mainly on family history:
- You have a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation (based on having had genetic testing)
- You have a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister or child) with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, and have not had genetic testing themselves
- You had radiation therapy to the chest before age 30
- You have been diagnosed with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome or have a first-degree relative with one of these syndromes
If you have questions about your breast cancer risk, call or message your primary care provider.
Note: These guidelines also apply to people who identify as transgender or non-binary.
About breast density
Breast density refers to the amount of normal, non-fatty tissue seen on a mammogram. It is a common finding — because about half of women have dense breasts.
After your mammogram, you will be informed if you have dense breasts. This information is provided to help you be more aware of your breast health and to encourage open discussions with your doctor. Breast density matters for two main reasons: it can make finding cancer on a mammogram harder, and it slightly increases your risk of breast cancer.
Breast density is just one thing that may increase breast cancer risk. Having dense breasts does not mean you will develop breast cancer, and many people with dense breasts don’t develop breast cancer. The most important step is to talk with your doctor about your overall risk and if an additional screening might be right for you.
How to make a mammography screening appointment
UW Medicine and Fred Hutch Cancer Center offer four breast imaging clinics in Seattle and Bellevue and in a traveling mammogram van in King County. We also offer same-day results when faster results are needed. Call your primary care provider if you have questions about your breast cancer risk, are experiencing breast symptoms or need more information.
Questions? Talk with your primary care provider
Call or message your primary care provider or start an on-demand video visit.
Breast Imaging Clinic at UW Medical Center – Northwest
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Breast Imaging Clinic at UW Medical Center – Northwest
Mammography at UW Medicine Eastside Specialty Center
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Mammography at UW Medicine Eastside Specialty Center
3100 Northup Way, Bellevue WA, 98004
To request an appointment, call 206.668.1749 or schedule online.
Mammography at UW Medical Center – Roosevelt
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Mammography at UW Medical Center – Roosevelt
4245 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105
To request an appointment, call 206.668.1749 or schedule online.
Mammography at Fred Hutch Cancer Center - South Lake Union
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Mammography at Fred Hutch Cancer Center - South Lake Union
1354 Aloha St. Seattle, WA 98109
To request an appointment, call 206.606.7800 or schedule online.
Breast Mammogram Van by Fred Hutch and UW Medicine
Breast Mammogram Van by Fred Hutch and UW Medicine
Breast mammogram van travels to different locations in greater Seattle. To schedule, call 206.606.7800 or schedule online.
Understanding breast screening
Screening mammography is a type of mammogram that uses a low-dose X-ray of your breasts to check for cancer when you have no symptoms. Diagnostic mammography is done for people who have had a “call back” from a screening mammography or who have a clinical breast symptom, such as a lump. All screening mammograms are read individually by a specialized breast radiologist, aided by a state-of-the-art computer-assisted detection system.
3D Mammography
UW Medicine and Fred Hutch use 3D mammography (or tomosynthesis), a newer type of mammography that takes multiple images of each breast.
For most women, getting a mammogram can be an uncomfortable process. Women with sensitive breasts may experience mild discomfort.
If you are concerned about possible discomfort, schedule your mammogram right after your menstrual period ends. Also, avoid caffeinated foods and beverages one to two weeks prior to the examination.
Breast self-exam
Regularly checking the look and feel of your breasts can help you know when something changes. We recommend performing breast self-exams in combination with any recommended screenings.
Breast MRI
MRI is an advanced imaging method that can detect breast cancers missed by mammograms or ultrasounds. It’s often used after a breast cancer diagnosis to measure tumor size, check for additional tumors, and help plan treatment.
For women at high risk of breast cancer, a screening MRI is recommended along with a yearly mammogram. It is important to have yearly mammograms even if you have yearly breast MRI. MRI is not needed for women at average risk.
Is my insurance accepted?
As of January 1, 2024, Washington state law (RCW 48.43.076) requires many health plans to cover certain breast imaging exams (including follow-up imaging after an abnormal screening mammogram, diagnostic mammograms and breast MRIs/ultrasounds for patients at high risk for breast cancer) with no patient cost-sharing.
UW Medicine accepts most major insurance plans. All patients should verify their insurance coverage before completing a visit. Please inquire about a “Sponsored Mammogram” when scheduling your appointment through Fred Hutch.
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