About the Mammography Project

What is the Mammography Directory?

This directory is a book that has information about all of the licensed mammography facilities in Massachusetts as of March 2007.  There is a page for each mammography facility in the state.   You can go to that page and get the address and phone number as well as important information about languages spoken at the site, waiting times, and you can find out if the site is able to perform a mammogram for a woman who must remain in a wheel chair.

What is a Licensed Mammography Facility?

Mammography facilities in Massachusetts have to have a current license to operate from the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program (MRCP).  MRCP licenses and inspects all mammography facilities in Massachusetts. As part of the licensing process, MRCP conducts federal inspection for compliance with the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992 (MQSA). Any comments, suggestions, or complaints about a specific mammography facility should be reported directly to the Radiation Control Program at (617) 427-2944.

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is a safe low–dose x-ray of the breast. A high-quality mammogram is used to detect breast cancer at an early stage when there are often no symptoms (lump, pain or nipple discharge) of breast cancer. It is also used to detect and diagnose when symptoms are present or abnormalities are found on a screening.

Who Should have a mammogram?

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends that all women age 40 and older have a mammogram every year. A doctor may determine a different schedule based on your breast cancer history and evidence of symptoms. Breast cancer risk increases with age. A critical step in the early detection of breast cancer is to have a regular clinical breast examination by your medical provider, and an annual mammogram.

What is the Women's Health Network?

The Women's Health Network (WHN) is a program of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. WHN provides free breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic services, and health education to low income, uninsured or underinsured women. These services are provided at local health centers, hospitals, and community agencies throughout Massachusetts. At some of the locations, women ages 40 to 64 can also receive free blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screening, as well as lifestyle interventions to decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke.

In this report, the WHN logo indicates that the facility is contracted to provide services to women enrolled in the Women’s Health Network. For a list of WHN Medical Service Sites, see Index C.

About the Mammography Access Project (MAP)

The Office on Health and Disability (OHD) is administered by the Bureau of Family and Community Health at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The mission of OHD is to promote the health and well being of people with disabilities and chronic conditions in Massachusetts.

The goal of the Mammography Access Project is to ensure that screening mammography facilities in Massachusetts are accessible to women with mobility impairments. OHD staff and consultants developed a tool that they then used to assess the accessibility of each screening mammography facility in Massachusetts. A summary of the findings of each site visit is included with the facility’s information.

About the Radiation Control Program

The goal of the Radiation Control Program is to protect the public from all sources of radiation by inspections of diagnostic and therapeutic x-ray and nuclear medicine facilities, radioactive materials licensees, nuclear power plants, radiofrequency installations, laser activities, and by conducting radon awareness activities and emergency response programs in the areas of radioactive materials, nuclear power and low-level waste.

The Radiation Control Program (RCP) inspects and licenses all mammography facilities in Massachusetts. As part of the licensing process, RCP conducts federal inspections for compliance with the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992 (MQSA).