Mammography Services
Mercy offers a variety of Breast Imaging Services, primary among them being digital mammography at its four Mammography Centers. All Mammography sites have received the American College of Radiology Accreditation, as does the Stereotactic Biopsy Unit at Fore River.
Digital mammography uses low-level x-rays to generate images of the breasts, which are processed and stored on Mercy’s Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) for immediate access by the radiologist. PACS facilitates rapid and highly accurate diagnosis, enabling detection of breast cancer at its earliest stages; the sooner treatment can begin, the better the chances of survival.
Other Mercy breast imaging services include:
- Breast Ultrasound
Using sound waves to produce an image, today’s advanced ultrasound technology can image all soft tissue organs in the body, as well as veins and arteries, in a safe and painless procedure. Mercy’s Accredited Vascular Laboratory works closely with Breast Care Specialists of Maine and Mercy’s Mammography Centers to provide patients with the most complete array of care possible.
- BRCA Genetic Testing
- Stereotactic Biopsy
The minimally invasive Suros ATEC vacuum-assisted biopsy unit uses computers to help physicians locate and remove suspicious breast tissue seen on a mammogram for tissue analysis without surgery.
- Breast MRI
- OncotypeDx®
- Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLN)
This relatively new technique can more accurately pinpoint microscopic cancer cells and potentially spot one tumor cell among one million cells. With improved diagnostic accuracy, fewer lymph nodes may need to be removed, which in turn means avoiding the sometimes-lengthy rehabilitation process. Also, the chance of chronic swelling, or lymphedema is reduced when fewer nodes are removed.



