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What is Digital Mammography?

Digital mammography refers to an x-ray examination of the breast. Mammography is used to detect and diagnose breast disease in women who are asymptomatic and women who have symptoms.

This procedure produces a black and white image that is sent directly to the Radiologist's computer for interpretation. This digital technology allows the Radiologist to manipulate the image thus enabling him/her to enhance the image for a clearer more concise diagnosis. The digital technology is further enhanced by our R2 checker (computer aided detection) software to provide you and your physician with peace of mind.

There are two types of mammograms that are performed:

• Screening Mammography
• Diagnostic Mammography

Screening Mammography is a radiological examination to detect unsuspected breast cancer in asymptomatic women.

Screening mammography is indicated in asymptomatic women who fit the following criteria:

• Women at least 35 to 40 years of age. (Screening can be performed at an earlier age with warranted conditions);
• Women with high risk factors such as:
  • A very strong family history of breast cancer in close relatives such as mother, sister or daughter;
  • Changes in particular genes (BRCA 1, BRCA 2 and others) increase the risk of breast cancer and women who have tested positively for these genes can be screened at an earlier age;
  • Young women who have been exposed to radiation treatments (such as treatment for thyroid carcinoma and Hodgkin's Lymphoma).
  • Also a high risk factor is a significant intake of alcohol.

Diagnostic Mammography is a radiographic examination performed on patients who have signs and/or symptoms.

Diagnostic mammography is indicated for women who fit the following criteria:

• Breast lumps;
• Nipple discharge;
• Breast thickening;
• Breast trauma;
• Axilliary lymph adenopathy;
• Persistent history of prior breast cancer (patients who have undergone prior lumpectomy and mastectomy);
• Augmented breast (implants);
• Six month follow up (BIRADS #) patients who are returning for a short interview follow up to reassess a specific finding that was initially not considered to be suspicious enough to merit an intervention;
• Patients returning for a finding screen on a screening mammography the requires further investigation.

Symptomatic patients under 30 years of age should be scheduled for an ultrasound first. Mammography will be done at the discretion of the radiologist unless otherwise indicated by the provider to follow a specific concern.

 Prior to Your Exam:

• If you have had mammograms at another facility, you should arrange for those films to be transferred to St. Mary's so that they are available for the Radiologist to review and compare with your current films.

The Day of Your Exam:

• You should avoid wearing deodorant on the day of your exam. The deodorant could interfere with the images.
• The optimal time to have a mammogram is one week after your period.

If you are experiencing any breast symptoms or problems please discuss them with the technologist prior to the start of your exam. Also if there is any family history this should be shared with the technologist on the day of your exam.