What Is Mammography?

Mammography is a specific type of imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray system to examine breasts. A mammogram is used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.

Mammography plays a central part in early detection of many breast cancers because it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. It is recommended that women get a screening mammogram every year beginning at age 40. Research has shown that annual mammograms lead to early detection of breast cancers, when they are most curable.

What Is Digital Mammography?

Digital mammography is a type of mammogram that takes a digital image of the breast, storing it electronically on a computer. The digital image can then be magnified, or enhanced to aid in the detection of cancer.

From the patient's point of view, having a digital mammogram is essentially the same as having a conventional film screen mammogram. However, there are several advantages: faster exam time, fewer repeat exams, more detailed images, and improved detection for women under 50 and women with dense breast tissue.

What’s the difference between a film mammogram and a digital mammogram?

For the patient, the process of having a normal mammogram or a digital mammogram will be the same. There is still compression of the breast, but it may be slightly less compression for slightly less time with the digital version.

What Is Computer Aided Detection (CAD)?

Computer-aided detection (CAD) systems take the digital mammogram image and search for abnormal areas of density, mass, or calcification that may indicate the presence of cancer. The CAD system highlights these areas on the images, alerting the radiologist to the need for further analysis. The combination of digital mammography and CAD has been shown to increase detection of cancer by 21%.

What Is the Difference Between a Screening and a Diagnostic Mammogram?

Screening Mammogram

A screening mammogram is an x-ray of the breast used to detect breast changes in women who have no signs or symptoms of breast cancer. It usually involves two x-rays of each breast.

Diagnostic Mammogram

Diagnostic mammography is used to evaluate a patient with abnormal clinical findings—such as a breast lump or lumps—that have been found by the woman or her doctor. Diagnostic mammography may also be done after an abnormal screening mammography in order to evaluate the area of concern on the screening exam. A diagnostic mammogram takes longer than a screening mammogram because it involves views of the breast from several additional angles.

A physician may also use an ultrasound to further examine an abnormality.

Do I Need a Doctor’s Order for a Digital Mammogram?

We recommend patients speak with their physician before scheduling a mammogram. Mammograms are most successful as a screening tool when used in combination with a clinical breast exam by your provider.