Advanced cancer care to heal the whole person
Mammography and routine screenings
A mammogram is an x-ray image of the breast. Digital mammography is offered at the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center at CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga, CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson, CHI Memorial Ooltewah Imaging Center, CHI Memorial Imaging Center - Parkway, and both of CHI Memorial’s Mobile Health Coaches. All facilities offer softer, warmer mammograms using MammoPads®. CHI Memorial provides different screening options suited to our patients' needs based on medical histories and physician recommendation.
Annual mammograms are recommended for women age 40 and better. Women age 35-40 should receive a screening mammogram. We have four convenient locations and a mobile mammography coach travel thousands of miles each year so that more women can receive high-quality, essential breast cancer screenings. Call (423) 495-4040 to schedule your appointment.
No Insurance? No Problem!
Because early detection can save lives, the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center at CHI Memorial wants all women, regardless of ability to pay, to have an annual breast screening. We partner with Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program, Georgia Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation to provide eligible uninsured and under-insured women with breast screenings. If an abnormality is discovered, the diagnostic work up is covered and a financial plan is provided for any follow-up care. This financial assistance is available year-round.
MaryEllen Locher Breast Center Locations
CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga
CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson
CHI Memorial Ooltewah Imaging Center
CHI Memorial - Parkway
Mobile Mammography Screening
CHI Memorial’s Mobile Health Coaches travel thousands of miles each year so that more women can receive high-quality, essential breast cancer screenings. Learn more
Screening options
The x-ray evaluation is recommended every year for women over 40 years of age when there are no signs or symptoms of breast disease. Women 35-40 should receive a screening mammogram.
Diagnostic mammography provides additional projections and spot magnification and may be recommended following a routine mammogram if there is a new finding or concern.
Tomosynthesis creates a three-dimensional image of breast tissue to more effectively pinpoint the size, shape and location of any abnormalities. With tomosynthesis, a series of images from multiple angles are converted into a single 3D image that can be viewed in different ways. This allows our radiologist a more complete picture of the breast, improved visibility, and increased ability to size and stage masses. It also improves cancer detection in women with dense breasts.
Ultrasound imaging is a painless medical test that uses high frequency sound waves to evaluate breast tissue.
Dedicated Breast MRI provides unparalleled and uncompromising image quality, patient comfort, and efficiency to better evaluate conditions that may not be visible with other imaging methods.
Removal of tissue for examination under a microscope may be necessary for diagnosis.
A bone density test is the only accurate way to diagnose osteoporosis, assess fracture risk, and monitor the effects of treatment.