Mammograms & Breast Ultrasounds
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Best Place for Breast Ultrasound Exam?
March 2008
I am temporarily staying in Berkeley and am due for a mammogram. My doctor in LA had prescribed a breast ultrasound but I wasn't able to schedule the screening before I left. I am now here for a few months and don't want to wait until I return. Was wondering if anyone can recommend a good breast health center close-by that does the ultrasound breast screenings? My LA doctor has his opinion but wanted to ask around first. Jessie
Hi I've gone to Alta Imaging at 5730 Telegraph Ave in Oakland for at least 15 years and have been pleased with my treatment there. Patty
I recommend the Breast Center at Summit Medical Center. I have recently had reason to go there twice for breast ultra sounds. I can't say that everything about my visits were perfect--I had to endour the usual kinds of waits. But I can say that I found the radiologists to be top notch--my doctor says they have four doctors there who only read breast ultra sounds and mammograms. But it was the staff that impressed me the most. I don't think I've ever been to a medical office where I felt such honest compassion. Each member of the staff made me feel recognized as a whole person with a complex story and viable emotions. I felt reassured, cared for, and that I could trust them. That's the way you need to feel at such a vulnerable time. I wish you the best with your tests, and that all will result in good health for you. Carolyn
The Alta Bates Imaging Center on Telegraph Avenue (near the Berkeley Oakland border) is fine. My friends who are nurses go their, too. They accept most (if not all) insurances, and have been good at getting records to doc.s Anon
Mammography-Summit's Breast Health Ctr. or Alta Breast Ctr?
April 2006
Does anyone have any experience (positive or negative) with either Summit's Breast Health Center or the Alta Breast Center on Telegraph. I need to get a mammogram (my first) and can go to either center. I may need a diagnostic as well as a screening mammography as a cyst was found on an ultrasound. I'm looking for any information and advice about getting a mammogram. Are there any specific technicians to request? Any recommendations? Thanks.
I had a mammogram at Alta Bates recently and was told they are all digital now. The main benefit I found was that they actually run their appointments on time now! That NEVER happened in the past. Apparently it takes less time to get the image w/ digital, so if they need to retake something they'll know sooner.
I just had a digital mammogram at Summit Breast Health Center, 450 30th St., Oakland, 510 869-8833. The machine was new since my last mammogram there a year ago. The technician said the x-ray dosage is lower than with a regular mammogram. Maybe because my doctor had found an unusual mass, they read the mammogram while I was there and then did a followup ultrasound. (Luckily, it all turned out fine.) It was a positive experience, given the circumstances. Relieved
Don't know about Summit but my mammo at Alta took about 10 minutes from the time I walked in the door till I walked back out. Can't beat that! G.
Lab in the East Bay for a digital mammogram?
March 2006
I have fibrocystic breasts and would like a digital mammogram (as opposed to the usual x-ray type). Is there a lab in the East Bay? I will even travel to SF. Thank you in advance for any information. leah
John Muir Medical Center (Walnut Creek) Imaging does digital mammograms - scheduled for one soon myself. I hear Dr. Fish is the best at reading them. Bodacoius Tatas
I highly recommend the Breast Health Center at CPMG (Cal Pacific Med Center) in SF. It's at the Children's Campus on California St. It is worth the drive. They have the latest state of the art technology including digital mammography. This place is a well oiled machine and the radiologists and techs are top notch. I had my first mammo at 36 and I ended up having to have a surgical biopsy done a few weeks later. Lucky for me, it was negative. But they were cautious and agressive. I'm now 42 and I go there once a year (check with your insurance). Good Luck
Last fall when I went to the Alta Bates Breast Imaging Center (on Telegraph at 57th)for a mammogram, the technician told me she was using a new digital imaging machine. Not sure if all of the machines have been replaced, or if you can specifically request digital, but they do have it. R.K.
I had a mammogram at Alta Bates recently and was told they are all digital now. The main benefit I found was that they actually run their appointments on time now! That NEVER happened in the past. Apparently it takes less time to get the image w/ digital, so if they need to retake something they'll know sooner.
I just had a digital mammogram at Summit Breast Health Center, 450 30th St., Oakland, 510 869-8833. The machine was new since my last mammogram there a year ago. The technician said the x-ray dosage is lower than with a regular mammogram. Maybe because my doctor had found an unusual mass, they read the mammogram while I was there and then did a followup ultrasound. (Luckily, it all turned out fine.) It was a positive experience, given the circumstances. Relieved
UCSF and cpmc both have very comprehensive capabilities in this area. They are very diligent and thorough.
Hello. I'm so sorry about the lumps!
I am glad you're having it investigated and that you're interested in using ultra-sound as part of exploring what can be done if there's a problem.
I say, 'if' the lumps are a problem because my sister had a large lump in each breast. They were benign. Also, my young niece did have breast cancer, it had spread to her lymph nodes when detected --- She had surgery, etc. and 15 years later she is still cancer free (She also stopped eating meat and sweets). All of us believe in ultra sound! Cancer health has come a long way even in the last couple of years.
For the last 8 years I've been going to ob/gync John Armstrong in Napa for ultra-sound. Recently, he sent me to see my internist, for a mammogram
He was concerned about one of my nipples. Thankfully, all is ok...inexplicably, my nipple just 'decided' to invert.
Dr. Armstrong's ultra-sound equipment is hospital quality & he is an expert in reading the images. If you've never had an ultrasound, it is fascinating to watch the images & hear his commentary. He is also easy to be with--we're both from Texas-- & happy to now be in Calif. After the exam, you'll go to his office where Dr. Armstrong will talk in depth with you about what he saw, any concerns, etc. (Because of Covid, he went to great lengths to install an amazing filtration system-- you walk in and you'll notice the superior air quality right away)
https://www.johnarmstrongmd.net/
All the best.
I’ve used Alta Imaging on Telegraph Av in Oakland for many years and have always been happy with them.
I've used both Alta Bates Imaging and Carol Ann Read Breast Center. Carol Ann was fine, but parking is much easier at Alta Bates and some of the 'woo' vibe at Carol Ann sets my teeth on edge. It really depends on what technician you get - some of them are sadists (or they simply hate small-breasted thin women) and some of them are really kind and nice.
I have gone to the Carol Ann Read Center for Breast Health for my annual mammogram for 4 years now. It is a well run, very clean facility. The staff, from check in to the mammo tech, have been very nice, and professional.
The big plus side about Carol Ann Read Breast Center for imaging is that they have Breast Specialists on staff, so if you need anything beyond just imaging, the process is easy.
I always go to Carol Ann Read Breast Center and I am a breast cancer survivor - so if me and my oncologist feel good about getting my high risk imaging done there, that says a lot.