Breast Imaging & Diagnostics

Holland Hospital is nationally recognized as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, as well as accredited by the American College of Radiology. That means our mammography and breast imaging services have been recognized for meeting the highest level of image quality and patient safety.

For convenience, we offer mammography screening at four locations. To schedule your mammogram, simply call (616) 355-3865.

Holland Hospital offers access to the latest breast health screening and diagnostic imaging modalities, including:

  • Mammography: A digital mammogram is an x-ray of the breasts used to screen for breast problems, such as lumps or small tumors that can be detected by the radiologist before they can be felt. Along with digital mammography, tomosynthesis (3D mammography) is also used to detect breast cancer, even the most difficult cancers to locate. Women with dense breast tissue should talk to their doctor about the benefits of 3D mammography or additional screening options. With tomosynthesis, a computer produces a 3D image of the breast in one-millimeter sections, allowing the radiologist to view breast tissue in even greater detail.
  • Mammography With Less Pain (and More Gain): Holland Hospital now offers a reason for women who fear or have experienced pain during their annual mammogram to take added comfort—the SmartCurve™ breast stabilization system. SmartCurve’s design mirrors the shape of a woman’s breast to reduce pinching and applies uniform compression. Without compromising image quality or accuracy, this system has been shown to improve comfort in 93 percent of patients who reported moderate to severe discomfort with standard compression.
  • Breast Ultrasound: Ultrasound is sometimes used to further evaluate a breast concern found during a diagnostic mammogram or physical exam. Breast ultrasound is not routinely used for breast screening, but can be helpful for women at high risk for breast cancer who cannot have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  • Breast MRI: Certain women who are at high risk for developing breast cancer should consider undergoing a more sensitive screening test called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or breast MRI. Breast MRI is also used to further diagnose and stage breast cancers, when necessary. Holland Hospital offers this specialized screening on a state-of-the-art 3T MRI unit.
  • Breast Biopsy: A breast biopsy is the removal of tissue to examine for signs of breast cancer. There are different kinds of breast biopsies: needle biopsy, sentinel node biopsy and surgical biopsy. Most commonly, the radiologist is able to simply use a needle to sample tissue using ultrasound or mammography as a guide. When an imaging study detects a breast abnormality, a stereotactic or ultrasound-guided biopsy may be recommended.
  • Radioactive seed localization (RSL): A specialized procedure that can help surgeons precisely locate and remove breast tumors, while helping to spare surrounding healthy tissue. During RSL, a metal seed about the size of a small sesame seed is placed into abnormal breast tissue. Containing a tiny amount of radiation, this seed helps the surgeon pinpoint abnormal tissue too small to be seen or felt by hand. The seed is also removed during the surgery.
  • Localization for Surgical Biopsies: Needle localization is a biopsy procedure that places very thin guide wires to mark the location of the abnormal area of tissue for surgical sampling. An imaging device (e.g., ultrasound probe) is used to place the wire in or around the abnormal area.
  • Bone Density: Also known as DEXA, uses x-ray to measures the amount of calcium and minerals in your bones. Quick and painless, this test is one of the best ways to diagnoses osteoporosis or osteopenia before a bone breaks.
  • L-DEX Testing: An L-Dex (lymphedema index) measurement is a painless, noninvasive test that screens for early stage lymphedema.