Breast Cancer Health Center
Digital Mammograms: A Clearer Picture
What are the potential benefits of digital mammograms?
- Enhanced interpretation. Mammograms can be extremely difficult for radiologists to interpret. Digital mammograms, though, are stored electronically. That means they can be analyzed by computers as well as by radiologists.
- Image manipulation capabilities. Film mammogram images cannot be changed. Digital mammogram images can be manipulated digitally for better clarity and visibility. For instance, the contrast of the images can be changed where necessary to provide a clearer picture.
- Lower average radiation dosage. Digital mammograms may take more views of each breast than film mammograms. But they use approximately 25% less radiation than film mammograms. That’s because smaller areas of the breast are imaged in each view.
- Easier second opinions. Since digital mammograms are stored in computers, they can easily be sent electronically to other health care professionals for analysis.
- Easier to store. Film mammograms produce bulky sets of films that must be stored and revisited for comparison in future tests. Digital mammogram results are stored on computers for ease of access and retrieval.
Who should get a digital mammogram?
Women younger than 50, premenopausal women, and women with dense breasts might benefit from digital mammogram screenings. For other groups of women, research indicates that film and digital mammograms have similar detection results.
Digital mammograms cost much more than film mammograms. And the vast majority of mammogram facilities in the U.S. do not have digital capabilities. However, even if you are a woman that might benefit from digital mammograms, not having access to digital mammogram technology does not mean you should forego a regular film mammogram.
The American Cancer Society recommends that all women age 40 and above have an annual mammogram to screen for breast cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) does not recommend screening for women in their 40s. For women between the ages of 50 and 74, USPSTF experts say women should have mammograms every two years.
If you are at high risk for developing breast cancer, you might also benefit from an annual MRI in addition to a yearly mammogram.
WebMD Medical Reference
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a new study reveals why a high number of women with the disease still prefer to have the entire breast surgically removed instead of just the tumor. It's not always because doctors recommend it.
