Digital Mammography
Digital Mammography : Preparation Guidelines | Frequently Asked Questions
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IN THE NEWS
Official Society Of Breast Imaging - response to the announcement regarding Mammography recommendations
Statement from the American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging
LATEST INNOVATION IN WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE
Extraordinary care you deserve
We have recently installed the Senographe Essential Full-Field Digital Mammography System from GE Healthcare. This new system along with our Lorad Selenia Digital Mammography System are the most advanced screening and diagnostic tools approved by the FDA for the detection of breast cancer. With this premium technology, you will experience shorter exam times, faster results and fewer callbacks - all resulting in less anxiety and superior care.
The Senographe Essential can perform interventional procedures with the use of the stereotactic option, giving you a complete clinical solution all in one room.
Features of the Senographe Essential
- Largest active field of view available, enabling fast and efficient imaging of virtually any woman.
- Gantry automation and ergonomic design allow fast and comfortable positioning.
- Outstanding dose efficiency, image quality, and optimized connectivity.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women ages 35-54 in the United States. It is estimated that 212,920 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year, and 43,000 patients will die of the disease. By diagnosing breast cancer as early as possible, survival rates will be higher.
Click here to download our Monthly Breast Self-Exam Card.
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray of the breasts that is performed in a standing position. Usually it consists of two views of each breast - one from above, and one from the side. A female registered mammography technologist will position your breast between two plates. The plates are then brought together to compress the breast. Compression allows us to better visualize the breast tissue, and it minimizes the amount of radiation needed to obtain the image.
Digital mammography takes an electronic image of the breast storing it directly on computer. These high-resolution images can be enhanced, magnified or manipulated for further evaluation by our Radiologist. Being able to manipulate these images is one of the main benefits of digital technology. The radiation dose of Digital Mammography is on average 20% lower than standard mammography.
A Digital Mammography scan is quicker than regular mammography, the breast image appears on a computer monitor in 10 seconds, providing technologists with quick verification of correct patient positioning. There is no waiting for film to develop, which can mean shorter time spent in the breast imaging suite. Digital mammography may also reduce the number of necessary follow-up procedures.
The Lorad Selenia features the largest detector available today, imaging almost any breast size without requiring multiple exposures.
Digital technology supports the screening of more women, and the reporting of results more quickly. In diagnosing breast cancer, time is a critical factor in ensuring optimal outcome. Digital images can be easily stored and copied without any loss of information, and transmitted and received in a more streamlined manner, eliminating dependence on only one set of “original” films.
Advantages of Digital Mammography
- Improved contrast between dense and non-dense breast tissue
- Faster image acquisition (less than a minute)
- Shorter exam time (approximately half that of film-based mammography)
- Easier image storage
- Physician manipulation of breast images for more accurate detection of breast cancer
- Ability to correct under or over-exposure of films without having to repeat mammograms
- Your physician can send your digital images anywhere in the world electronically to be viewed on a workstation by another physician virtually instantaneously.
- Faster results-less anxiety
Guidelines for Early Detection
- Yearly mammograms starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
- Clinical breast exams (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam, about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
- Women should report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
- •Women at increased risk (e.g., family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer ) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests (e.g., breast ultrasound or MRI), or having more frequent exams.
Computer-aided Detection (CAD)
Along with our new Digital Mammography System we utilize computer aided detection (CAD) system for Mammography. The CAD software system assists radiologists during their review of mammograms by identifying areas that contain features associated with cancer that may warrant a second review. The marked areas may contain microcalcifications, masses or architectural distortion.
The “Second Look” (CAD) system was created using and extensive database of normal and cancer cases. Its breakthrough technology provides an extra level of protection that can assist the radiologist in breast cancer detection. Your mammogram is scanned into the Second Look system and is analyzed using this sophisticated software. A report, called a Mammagraph, is printed out which helps to identify potentially cancerous lesions.Second Look gives you the benefits of a second opinion without any additional procedures or doctors appointments.
A study recently published in Radiology of 12,860 women indicated that CAD technology detected 19.5% more breast cancer, with an encouraging trend in an increase in cancers detected at an early stage. For more information on breast cancer with facts, resources and support, visit the website of the American Cancer Society.
Mammogram services are provided through staff and equipment that are accredited by the American College of Radiology. The accreditation signifies the equipment meets stringent technological and diagnostic criteria, and the staff has passed a rigorous national certification exam.
Please see Mammography-FAQ’s for more information.
Mammography - PREPARATION
