Digital Mammography
What Is Digital Mammography?
Screening Mammography with CAD
Diagnostic Mammography
How to Prepare for Your Mammogram
What will my screening mammogram be like?
Mammograms with Breast Implants
How will I get the results of my mammogram?
Does It Mean I Have Cancer If My Mammogram Result Is Abnormal?
What Is Digital Mammography?
- A mammogram is an x-ray examination of the breast, used to detect
and diagnose breast diseases. Mammography is a very safe procedure
that uses low doses of radiation to produce high-quality x-rays.
- All mammogram examinations are performed in a private suite by
a female, certified technologist with advanced training in mammography.
All mammography locations owned or served by TRA are accredited
by the American College of Radiology and approved by the Food and Drug
Administration.
- A digital mammogram uses computers and specially designed digital
detectors to produce an image that can be displayed on a high-resolution
computer monitor, and transmitted and stored just like computer
files. There is no waiting for film to develop, which can mean a shorter
time
spent in the imaging suite.
- If an abnormality is detected in your breast(s), additional mammographic
views and/or other tests, such as breast ultrasound, may be recommended.
Some abnormalities, such as any calcifications in the breast
may be followed with mammography every six months for change. Though
most abnormalities
detected are benign, biopsy is the only definitive way to determine
if an abnormality is malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous).
- Occasionally, a cancerous tumor is only seen when a radiologist
compares your current mammogram to one you've had before. Therefore,
your first mammogram, considered a baseline, is very valuable for future
comparisons.
- The American Cancer Society (ACS) and many other medical organizations
recommend yearly mammograms for all women age 40 years and
older (including those with breast implants). Both the ACS and the
National Institute for
Health (NIH) see a definite survival benefit for women who
begin getting mammograms in their 40s.
Screening Mammography with CAD
Screening mammography is used as a preventive measure for women who have
no symptoms of breast disease. Computer aided detection (CAD) technology
is an important component of digital mammography. It increases the sensitivity
for detecting small lesions and calcifications in the breast. Once your
breast images have been taken, CAD technology automatically reviews them
and marks potential breast abnormalities for the radiologist to review while
reading your mammogram. The radiologist can thenzoom in, magnify and further
study these areas to determine whether any areas are suspicious and require
further evaluation.
CAD analysis can improve the detection of early cancers by as much
as 20 percent. It
works much like a spell checker, reviewing a patient’s mammogram films
after the radiologist has already made an initial interpretation.
If the computer software detects any breast abnormalities or areas
of interest on the mammogram image, it marks them. The radiologist
then reviews
the
mammogram again to determine if the marked areas are suspicious
and require further evaluation. Studies show that CAD analysis
improves the detection
of early cancers by as much as 20 percent.
Diagnostic Mammography
Diagnostic mammography involves additional views of the breast, and is
used when an abnormality is found during screening, or in women who have
breast complaints, such as a breast mass, nipple discharge, breast pain,
or skin irritation.
This exam is performed by a technologist who consults directly
with a radiologist to determine the special views of your breast
that she will take to get the best information. The exam may take a little
longer
than a routine screening.
Sometimes a diagnostic mammogram (additional or repeated views)
or breast ultrasound is necessary to clearly visualize an area
of concern. Spot compression and magnification are the most
commonly ordered additional
views.
How to Prepare for Your Mammogram
Following these tips may reduce discomfort from breast compression:
- schedule your examination one week following your menstrual cycle.
- eliminate coffee, tea or caffeinated products five days prior to
your exam.
- take a non-aspirin pain reliever such as Tylenol (Acetaminophen),
Motrin/Advil (Ibuprofen), or Aleve (Naproxen) one hour before your
examination.
When you schedule your appointment let us know if:
- you have had previous mammograms at other locations. We are happy
to locate any studies provided at TRA outpatient and affiliated
hospital locations in Tacoma, Lakewood, Gig Harbor and Federal Way.
- you are nursing or if you think you could be pregnant. Your doctor
may postpone your mammogram.
- you have breast implants so that extra time may be allotted.
- you have had any recent breast surgeries or biopsies.
To avoid delay or rescheduling of your mammogram:
- arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time
to register for your exam. Plan for at least
30 additional minutes to complete the entire exam process.
- remove any powder, perfumes, deodorant and/or lotions from your
underarms and breasts. Moist towelettes are
provided and deodorant is available to reapply after your exam.
What will my screening mammogram be like?
For your comfort, your mammogram will always be performed in
private by a certified female technologist with advanced
training in mammography. Before your exam she will ask you to undress
from the waist
up, change into a gown and remove any powder, deodorant and/or
perfumes from your underarms and breasts. Material in these products can
show
up on the mammogram and interfere with accurate visualization
of your breast tissue. For your convenience, towelettes and deodorant
are available
following your exam.
Typically, a screening mammogram consists of two views of
each breast, one from above and one from the side. Images
are obtained by compressing
your breast tissue between two plastic plates. Adequate compression
is essential to detect subtle abnormalities and reduce
radiation exposure. The compression may be briefly uncomfortable, especially
if
your breasts
are tender (see tips above).
Mammograms with Breast Implants
All women, including those with breast implants, should participate
in a regular screening mammography program. Mammography is just as important
with breast implants. Mammography with breast implants requires special
positioning and additional mammographic views. In addition, the implants
make the examination less accurate, so physical examination becomes more
important.
A mammogram with breast implants will usually consist of four views
of each breast, one from above and one from the side and two displacement
views. Displacement views consist of moving the implant back toward the
chest wall and bringing the breast tissue forward. Images are obtained
by firmly and briefly pressing the breast tissue between a compression
paddle and a plate. Adequate compression is essential to detect subtle
abnormalities and reduce radiation exposure. Damage to implants from a
mammogram procedure is extremely rare. Finding an abnormality with mammography
far outweighs this risk.
How will I get the results of my mammogram?
Your mammogram and any additional studies will be carefully examined
by a TRA board-certified radiologist. Your findings will be promptly forwarded
to your healthcare provider. If you had a screening or diagnostic mammogram,
a letter briefly explaining the results will be mailed to your address.
It is important to follow up with your healthcare provider. The results
of this examination will be compared to your overall health status, which
only your healthcare provider can assess for you.
Does It Mean I Have Cancer If My Mammogram Result Is Abnormal?
Finding out that you have an abnormal result can make anyone anxious.
However, try not to panic. A vast majority of breast abnormalities are
benign (not cancer). However, every abnormality is taken seriously.
Gathering of all the information necessary to make a thorough
interpretation from an imaging study can take time and be difficult.
All abnormalities found in breast tissue require careful filming and evaluation.
Additional mammographic views and different examinations or procedures—such
as breast ultrasound, breast MRI, or image-guided breast biopsy—may
be necessary to confirm a diagnosis.
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