Digital Mammography

• What is a digital mammogram?
• What are the benefits of digital mammography?

What is a digital mammogram?
A digital mammogram is the same as a regular mammogram. The only difference is that the x-ray pictures of the breast tissue are imaged using a computerized digital technology in the place of traditional film.

The ACRIN DMIST study has shown that some women with dense breast tissue may benefit from having their mammograms performed using digital technology.

What are the benefits of digital mammography?
Digital mammography allows radiologists to electronically manipulate the digital images, potentially saving patients from undergoing additional views and therefore additional radiation; these views are sometimes necessary to make a diagnosis. The ability to manipulate the digital images has been shown to improve the sensitivity of mammography in women with dense breast tissue.

Are there any other tests to detect breast cancer?

Yes, there are other tests used to detect breast cancer. Mammography is considered the gold standard, but other tests are often used as an adjunct to mammography in diagnostic situations or for high-risk patients.  These include ultrasonography needle biopsies and breast MRI.  many other tests and technologies are currently being investigated to see if they may be helpful.

Why aren't young women supposed to have mammograms?

Because radiation is involved in mammography, it's best not to perform mammography on a young women unless there is good reason.  Fortunately recent medical advances now allow us to perform mammograms at a very low x-ray dose.  The x-ray dose for a mammogram is now so low that it is less than the small amount of stray radiation that our breasts receive each year from the ground and sky.  The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.

Aren't I supposed to be getting a mammogram only if I am in a high risk category?

The single most important risk factor is womanhood!  Women are 100 times more likely to develop breast cancer than men: therefore you're in a high risk category just because you are a woman.  Also, the older you are, the more likely you are to have breast cancer.  Other risk factors are:  1) a positive family history of a mother, sister or daughter with breast cancer; 2) dense breast tissue (which can't be determined until your first mammogram has been performed).  Having dense tissue means that it may be more difficult for the doctor to read your mammogram.

There are also less important risk factors such as a history of never being pregnant, giving birth to your first child after age 30 and not breast feeding. But, there is no known way to predict who will get breast cancer.  For example, in our office, most women who have breast cancer do not have any positive family history so we can't just do mammograms on women with a positive family history or we would miss 66% of the cancers.  This is why your doctor may order a mammogram.  Breast cancer can happen to anybody-even men!

Does a digital mammogram find all breast cancers?

Unfortunately, no.  Doctors have no single 100% effective method for detecting breast cancer.  Many cancers are too small or soft to be felt, but can be seen on a mammogram.  That's why screening mammograms are so important.  However, not all cancers behave in the same way.  Some types of cancer can be felt more easily than they can be seen in a mammogram.  Therefore, the best way to detect breast cancer is by combining breast self-examination, your doctor's breast examination, and the mammogram.  If you discover a breast lump, it is important to let the technologist know about it when you have your mammogram.  The doctor needs this information in order to decide if other tests need to be done with the mammogram such as a special view of the lump or an ultrasound.

If you discover a breast lump, and a mammogram is performed and you receive normal results, this doesn't mean you or your doctor should ignore the breast lump.  If it continues to enlarge, you must contact your doctor again and notify them of this.  If you have a normal screening mammogram, and then develop a new lump, you should have it checked by your doctor.  Mammograms do not detect ALL cancers.  One out of every eight women develops breast cancer.  Since it's such a common disease, we need to use all methods we possibly can to find it.

This page is intended as an educational resource only. It is not a substitute for professional care. Please see your physician if you have any concerns about your own health.

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