Breast Screening in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting American women. It can occur at any age, but it is more common in women over 60. About one quarter of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 50.

In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, regular breast screening (mammograms) is one of the most effective ways to detect breast cancer early, when treatment is most successful.

Major local providers offering mammograms include:

  • Spectrum Health (Corewell Health) in downtown Grand Rapids and surrounding campuses
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health and affiliated imaging centers
  • Independent imaging centers throughout Kent County

You can also access information and referrals through the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health resources.

What Is a Breast Screening (Mammogram)?

A breast screening, or screening mammogram, uses low-dose x-rays to create images of the inside of your breasts. These images can reveal cancers or abnormal changes that are too small to be felt by you or your doctor during a physical exam.

Because Michigan has long, cold winters and people are often less active and bundled in heavy clothing, small breast changes can be harder to notice. That makes routine mammograms especially important for women in the Grand Rapids area.

Why Early Detection Matters

Early detection offers the best chance of:

  • Successful treatment
  • Less aggressive treatment options
  • Better recovery and long-term outcomes

If you notice any unusual breast changes at any age, you should see your primary care provider or OB/GYN in Grand Rapids as soon as possible, even if you are already scheduled for a screening mammogram.

Common symptoms to watch for:

  • A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
  • Changes in breast size or shape
  • Skin changes (dimpling, redness, puckering)
  • Nipple changes (inversion, discharge, crusting)
  • New, persistent breast pain on one side

Who Is Eligible for Breast Screening in Grand Rapids?

In the United States, breast screening guidelines are set nationally, and mammograms are offered through both public and private healthcare systems. In Grand Rapids, you can access screening mammograms through:

  • Hospital systems (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
  • Outpatient imaging centers
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers and community clinics
  • Mobile mammography units that may visit neighborhoods in and around Kent County

General Age-Based Recommendations

While exact recommendations can vary slightly by organization, typical guidelines are:

  • Ages 50–74

    • Most women should have a screening mammogram every 2 years.
    • Many insurance plans, including Medicare, cover these screenings at no cost when done at recommended intervals.

  • Ages 40–49

    • You are usually eligible for screening mammograms.
    • Talk with your doctor about your personal and family history to decide whether to start screening at age 40 and how often to screen (every 1–2 years).
    • Most private insurance plans cover screening starting at age 40.

  • Age 75 and older

    • You may continue to have mammograms every 1–2 years as long as you are in good health and would choose to treat cancer if it were found.
    • Discuss ongoing screening with your doctor.

If you are outside the typical age range but have a higher risk (for example, strong family history or known genetic mutation), your doctor in Grand Rapids may recommend:

  • Starting screening earlier
  • More frequent mammograms
  • Additional imaging (such as breast MRI or ultrasound)

Accessing Mammograms in Grand Rapids

If you are within the recommended age range, you can often self-schedule a screening mammogram at many local imaging centers without a referral, depending on the facility and your insurance.

If you are younger than 40, older than 74, or have special risk factors, you may need a referral from your doctor. You can:

  • Contact your primary care provider or OB/GYN
  • Call the breast imaging department at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • Ask the Kent County Health Department or local community health centers about low-cost or free mammogram programs

Breast Screening and Implants

Is Breast Screening Safe If I Have Implants?

Breast screening is generally safe for people with breast implants (also called breast prostheses). However, there are a few important considerations.

Possible Limitations and Risks

  • Implants can hide some breast tissue, making it harder to see all areas on a mammogram.
  • Special imaging techniques are used to move the implant and view more of the breast tissue.
  • More x-ray images are usually needed compared with women without implants, which may mean slightly more radiation exposure.
  • There is a very small risk that compression during the mammogram could contribute to implant leakage or a change in shape or texture, although this is considered unlikely.

What You Should Do

  • Tell the imaging center when you schedule that you have breast implants.
  • Inform the technologist (radiologic technologist or radiographer) again at your appointment.
  • Technologists in Grand Rapids imaging centers are trained to:
    • Use minimal, careful compression over the implant
    • Use special positioning techniques so more breast tissue can be seen

If you are having any problems with your implants (pain, swelling, shape changes, suspected rupture), see your doctor or plastic surgeon before scheduling a screening mammogram. Standard breast screening services do not evaluate or diagnose implant-related conditions; that requires a separate medical assessment.

How to Schedule a Breast Screening in Grand Rapids

When you book your mammogram, you will usually be asked questions about:

  • Your medical history
  • Any previous breast problems or surgeries
  • Whether you have breast implants
  • Family history of breast or ovarian cancer

This information helps the healthcare team estimate your risk and recommend a screening schedule tailored to you.

You can typically schedule by:

  • Calling the breast imaging department at your chosen hospital or clinic
  • Using your health system’s online patient portal (e.g., Spectrum Health/MyChart)
  • Asking your doctor’s office to schedule for you
  • Contacting local community clinics or the Kent County Health Department for help if you are uninsured or underinsured

If you need language support, ask about interpreter services when you call to schedule. Large Grand Rapids health systems offer free interpreting and relay services for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or speak languages other than English.

What to Expect at Your Breast Screen

What to Wear

To make the exam easier:

  • Wear a two-piece outfit (skirt or pants with a top) rather than a dress or jumpsuit.
  • You will be asked to undress from the waist up.
  • You can request a gown that opens in the front at most Grand Rapids imaging centers.

During the Mammogram

  1. A female technologist (in most breast imaging centers) will bring you into the x-ray room.
  2. Each breast will be placed on a flat plate of the mammography machine.
  3. Another plate will gently compress your breast from above.

Compression:

  • Helps spread the tissue for a clearer image
  • Reduces the amount of radiation needed
  • May feel uncomfortable or briefly painful, but usually lasts only a few seconds per image

If you feel significant pain or are very sensitive:

  • Tell the technologist right away.
  • She can adjust the compression or reposition you.
  • You can ask to pause or stop the exam at any time.

A standard screening mammogram usually:

  • Takes about 10–15 minutes
  • May require you to wait a short time afterward while the technologist checks that the images are clear

After the Mammogram

  • You can return to your normal activities immediately.
  • There are usually no special aftercare instructions.
  • Some people may have mild temporary tenderness.

Getting Your Results

Your mammogram images are reviewed by a radiologist (a doctor trained in interpreting medical images).

  • Results are typically sent to you and your doctor within 2–4 weeks, depending on the facility.
  • Many Grand Rapids health systems also post results to your online patient portal.

If your mammogram is normal, you will be advised when to return for your next routine screening (usually in 1–2 years, based on your age and risk).

What If My Mammogram Is Abnormal?

Being called back for further tests does not mean you have cancer. Most people who are recalled do not have breast cancer.

You may be asked to return for:

  • Additional mammogram views (more detailed x-rays)
  • Breast ultrasound
  • Breast exam by a clinician
  • In some cases, a biopsy (taking a small sample of tissue for testing)

If further tests are needed:

  • They are usually scheduled as soon as possible.
  • Many people receive their preliminary results the same day as their assessment.
  • If a biopsy is done, results may take up to a week.

If you feel anxious or have questions:

  • Ask to speak with a nurse or breast care coordinator at the imaging center.
  • Talk with your primary care provider or OB/GYN in Grand Rapids.

Factors That Can Make Mammograms Harder to Read

Sometimes images are less clear or more difficult to interpret. This can be due to:

  • Dense (glandular) breast tissue, more common in:
    • Younger women
    • Pre-menopausal women
  • Previous breast surgery or radiation therapy
  • Breast implants
  • Movement during the exam, which can blur images

These factors can increase the chance of being called back for additional imaging, even when no cancer is present.

Breast imaging centers in Grand Rapids will not usually report on benign (non-cancerous) changes that are stable and not suspicious, such as:

  • Simple cysts
  • Long-standing, unchanged benign findings

Their focus is on detecting changes that could represent breast cancer.

If Breast Cancer Is Found

If breast cancer is detected during screening:

  • It is often found at an early stage, when treatment is more effective.
  • Your imaging team will explain the findings and next steps.
  • A copy of your imaging and biopsy results will be sent to your doctor.

You will likely be referred to a multidisciplinary cancer team at one of the Grand Rapids health systems, which may include:

  • Breast surgeons
  • Medical oncologists
  • Radiation oncologists
  • Nurse navigators
  • Social workers and support services

These teams are experienced in treating patients from across West Michigan and the Great Lakes region and will help you understand your options and plan your care.

When to See a Doctor Immediately

At any age, you should make an appointment with your doctor in Grand Rapids as soon as possible if you notice:

  • A new lump or area of thickening in the breast or underarm
  • Changes in breast size, shape, or skin
  • Nipple discharge (especially bloody or clear)
  • Nipple inversion or changes in nipple appearance
  • Persistent, one-sided breast pain

Do not wait for your next routine mammogram if you have symptoms. A diagnostic mammogram and/or ultrasound may be needed, which is different from routine screening.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you need help accessing breast screening, paying for a mammogram, or understanding your results, consider:

  • Kent County Health Department – information on local screening programs and financial assistance
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics – referrals and navigation support
  • Hospital-based patient navigators at:
    • Spectrum Health (Corewell Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health

These resources can help you:

  • Find a screening location near your home or work
  • Understand your insurance coverage or options if uninsured
  • Arrange interpreter or relay services
  • Get connected to support groups and counseling if needed

Key Points About Breast Screening in Grand Rapids

  • Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting American women.
  • It can occur at any age, but is more common in women over 60.
  • Early detection through regular mammograms saves lives.
  • Screening mammograms are available throughout Grand Rapids at major hospital systems and imaging centers.
  • Breast implants do not prevent you from having a mammogram, but you must inform the imaging center.
  • Most people called back for additional tests do not have breast cancer.
  • If you notice any breast changes, see your doctor promptly—do not wait for your next scheduled screening.

Regular breast screening, combined with being familiar with the normal look and feel of your breasts, is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health in Grand Rapids, Michigan.