Digital Mammography
Who Should Have a Mammogram?
The American Cancer Society recommends that all women have a baseline screening mammogram between the ages of 35 and 40, and beginning at age 40, women should have an annual screening mammogram.
What is a Mammogram?
A mammogram is an x-ray of the breasts, used to detect and diagnose breast diseases. Mammograms play a central part in the early detection of breast cancer because they can detect changes in the breast that may be early signs of cancer, but are too small or subtle to be felt.
What is Full-Field Digital Mammography?
Unlike other parts of the body, the breast is composed mainly of soft tissue.When breast tissue is x-rayed, it creates an image that looks something like a smoky haze,making it difficult to see tiny “spots” called microcalcifications and other subtle signs that might signal cancer. Digital mammography has proven to be superior to film-screen mammography, especially in women with dense breast tissue.
Digital mammography uses computers and specially designed digital detectors to produce an image that can be displayed on a high-resolution computer monitor and transmitted and stored just like computer files. In a matter of seconds, digital mammograms produce clear images which can be viewed by the radiologist for a prompt diagnosis. The physician can adjust the brightness, change the contrast and zoom in for close-ups of specific areas of interest. Being able to manipulate images is one of the main benefits of digital technology.
Digital mammogram images are stored electronically,making them easy to retrieve for diagnosis and future viewing. The images can also be linked with software that marks abnormal areas on the mammogram, called Computer Aided Detection (CAD). CAD technology can increase the detection rate of abnormalities by up to 20 percent. If an abnormality requiring biopsy is found on your mammogram, your physician may recommend a stereotactic biopsy, a minimally-invasive needle biopsy technique that does not require surgery.
What Can I Expect During a Digital Mammogram?
You will be asked to undress above the waist, and you will be given a gown to wear. For your comfort and privacy, you and the female technologist are the only individuals in the room during the exam.
The technologist will position your breasts, taking images from different angles. To get a high-quality image, it is necessary to flatten the breast slightly. To ease discomfort during the exam, we offer softer touch mammo pads. The whole procedure takes approximately 20 minutes. The actual breast compression only lasts a few seconds.
North Okaloosa Medical Center will send the results to your physician within two business days. You will receive a letter from our facility explaining your results and any necessary follow-up testing.
If you think you could benefit from a digital mammogram, or want to learn more about the diagnostic imaging technology at North Okaloosa Medical Center, talk to your doctor. Then call 850-682-2475 for more information or to schedule an appointment.