Frequently Asked Questions

Why did you stop offering mammography at The Women’s Breast Care Clinic?
We voluntarily, temporarily suspended mammography service on October 2, 2006. After an annual inspection of the mammography facility, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) identified concerns regarding quality control measures at the Clinic. Further communications with the FDA, as well as the American College of Radiology (ACR), indicated that the integrity of some of the mammography films may have been compromised. At that time, we decided to suspend mammography services until we had more information.

What did the FDA find wrong?
Their investigation focused on documentation and equipment calibration issues. As the review progressed, concerns surfaced that these discrepancies may have impacted the integrity of some of the mammography films. A further technical review of a random sampling of films by the ACR found that some exams failed to meet the minimum standards for diagnostic quality as well as concerns related to patient positioning.

Were all mammography results inaccurate?
This does not necessarily mean that the results of the examinations were inaccurate. However enough questions surfaced regarding mammograms taken between October 2, 2004 and October 2, 2006 to raise concern. JARMC determined the prudent and responsible action would be to encourage patients from that time period to repeat their mammogram.

I had a mammogram at JARMC last year. What should I do?
We are recommending that patients who received mammograms at The Women's Breast Care Clinic between October 2, 2004 and October 2, 2006 have repeat mammograms. We will pay for you to have your mammogram at a certified facility. Your insurance should not be billed for this procedure. You will receive a letter with more information by certified mail in the coming days. Please present this letter, which serves as authorization for your repeat mammogram, to the facility where you are having your mammogram done.

How can I get my previous films from The Women's Breast Care Clinic?
Call The Women’s Breast Care Clinic at 601-553-6250 to make arrangements.

When will you resume mammogram services again?
Right now our focus is on notifying and encouraging affected patients to be retested. After that is completed, we will work with appropriate regulatory agencies to resume mammography services once re-certification compliance steps are approved. Once we begin offering mammography services again we will notify physicians, patients and the community.

List of MQSA Certified Mammography Facilities

** For additional locations contact Women’s Breast Care Clinic at 601-553-6250

Links for more information

http://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/mammography.html