About Digital Mammography

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women today. Approximately 190,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed among women in the United States every year. The early detection of breast cancer can be a key to survival.

Digital mammography is the most advanced tool in the early detection of breast cancer.

Traditional stereotactic biopsy requires a mammogram film be exposed, developed and then reviewed, greatly increasing the time before the breast biopsy can be completed. With digital mammography once the pictures or images have been taken they can be electronically manipulated - the physician can zoom in, magnify, and optimize different parts of breast tissue without having to take an additional image.

This results in unprecedented quality, shorter examination times and significantly improved patient comfort and convenience since the time the patient must remain still is much shorter.

Screening Tests for Women of Different Ages

Age 40 to 49

• Recommendation: Mammogram every 1 to 2 years, with or without clinical breast exam
• Benefit: May reduce risk of dying from breast cancer by 17%

Age 50 to 74

• Recommendation: Mammogram every 1 to 2 years, with or without clinical breast exam
• Benefit: May reduce risk of dying from breast cancer by 30%