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Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention

Technologies in Breast Cancer: Digital Mammography

Summary & Participants

Digital mammography has been touted as the "single biggest advance in mammography in 30 years." On our webcast, we'll visit a top digital mammography center and get a first-hand view of this new imaging technique in action. You'll see a patient undergoing digital mammography, then watch as the images are manipulated to achieve a more powerful diagnosis. We'll also interview the breast radiologist who interprets the scans for further insight into this new and important technology.

Medically Reviewed On: July 10, 2008

Webcast Transcript

REBECCA TISDAL, MD: I'm Dr. Rebecca Goan Tisdal at the Women's Center at Mercy in Oklahoma City. One of our patients is here having a digital mammogram as part of her routine annual screening procedure. Traditionally, we have used film screen mammograms to evaluate for breast cancer.

In traditional mammography we compress the breast. The X-ray beams would pass through the breast and were exposed on film. The film then was processed, and I would evaluate that film on a monitor. Digital mammography differs from that in some ways. The compression of the breast is the same, although for a shorter period of time. The X-ray does pass through the breast, but there it is received on a digital detector, a very high-resolution digital detector that's about the size of a sheet of notebook paper.

When you first walk into the mammography room you're going to see a tall structure, standing there, and that is the X-ray equipment. From the patient's point of view, it really won't look any different than regular mammography equipment. And in fact, most of the steps the technologist takes will be the same. The top part of that is the X-ray tube, and that is where the X-rays come from. They don't come out all the time, it's only when the technologist activates the equipment that it actually makes X-rays. Then there is a compression panel; it's kind of a clear Plexiglas, and that can raise and lower. And that's where we actually use to compress the breast tissue against the digital plate; and that digital plate has a very fine crystal within it. And that is what the X-rays, pass then, through the compression device and through the breast and to that plate. And that plate then sends the information to the computer, and within 10 seconds, in our digital equipment, the image then comes up on the screen. After the technologist is finished taking your mammogram, one of the wonderful things about digital, instead of having to wait for the film to be develop, which can take 10 minutes or so. It seems like an eternity when you're waiting for them. Then the images are sent immediately to the laser printer and also networked to my review station where I can look at them.

PATIENT: This is the first time I've had a digital mammogram. It's very much like a traditional mammogram. It did take a little less time because the technician didn't have to develop the film. I've had a problem in the past, and had a biopsy, and even though it was benign, it's important for me to have a mammogram every year. So having a mammogram that I know will produce the highest quality is also of great importance to me.

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