Breast Imaging & Treatment
Totally Digital Mammography Center
What is Mammography?
A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breasts. It is used to detect tumors and cysts and to help differentiate between benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) growths. It is the most effective way of detecting breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage.
Who is a candidate for the procedure?
- Women over age 20 should be aware of the warning signs and risk factors for breast cancer
- The American Cancer Society recommends a mammogram screening every year for all women age 40 and older.
What are the advantages of Digital Mammography over Traditional Mammography?
Traditional:
- Uses film to capture images
- Takes about ten minutes from the time each X-ray is taken for the film to be developed (this takes up the patient’s time and can cause worry)
- Frequent re-shoots are necessary, resulting in additional discomfort to the patient (because of having breasts compressed between plates again and additional radiation exposure for the patient
Digital:
- Uses digital technology (not film) to capture images
- Takes no more than ten seconds to determine if the image is adequate (means very little waiting for the patient and much less physical discomfort for the patient)
- Re-shoots are almost never needed, which saves the patient time, worry, and discomfort Images are immediately sent to the radiologist’s computer, where they can be electronically enhanced (magnified, etc.)
- Virginia Hospital Center has CAD, Computer-Assisted Diagnosis, which uses technology to improve diagnostic accuracy. After a digital image is acquired, a computer program scans the images and highlights abnormalities such as calcifications or irregular masses.
- Digital mammography is at least as good as traditional mammography, and studies have shown that it is more accurate for some women (those with dense breasts)
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To schedule a Digital Mammogram at Virginia Hospital Center, call 703.558.8500.