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DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY WITH CAD
Digital Mammography with CAD (Computer Aided Detection)
is the latest tool available to detect breast cancer
at early stages when it has a better chance of being cured.
As with any other test, mammography is not perfect and should
be used in conjunction with regular breast exams by a doctor
or other health care provider and by breast self exams.
In clinical trials, digital mammography screening detected up to 28 percent more cancers than screen film mammography in three groups of women:
- Women 50 years of age and younger
- Premenopausal / permenopausal (women who had their last menstrual period within 12 months of the mammogram)
- Dense breasted women
Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of death in American women and digital mammography can help alter that statistic. Statistics demonstrate that one in 8 women will develop breast cancer sometime in their life. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman's survival. If detected early, the five–year survival rate is 97%.
Digital mammography is among the promising new technologies for earlier detection of Breast Cancer, and Raleigh Radiology is providing this innovation to it's patients. Digital mammography is available at the Blue Ridge and Breast Center locations. The Cedarhurst will be installing digital mammography units in 2007.
Fom the patient's point of view, digital mammography utilizes the same techniques as regular film screen mammography, but the images are stored directly in a computer rather than on film. This eliminates the dependency on one set of original films, which can be misfiled or lost in transit.
The advantages of digital mammography include improved diagnostic accuracy, particularly in women under 50 with dense breast tissue, and the need for fewer total X–ray exposures, which results in less patient discomfort. Whis this new technology, the technologist does not have the leave the room during the examination. She can check each view for quality before going ahead to the next image. This gives the patient a brief rest between images and lowers patient anxiety. In the past, women have endured long waits for another round of images just because the film wasn't clear.
Images are viewed and manipulated on dedicated high resolution monitors that enhance visualization of the structures within the breast tissue, allowing radiologists to be more thorough in their analysis. Digital mammography importantly allows the radiologist to adjust image contrast, brightness and magnification levels, which assists in detecting abnormailities such as small calcifications, masses, and other changes that may be signs of early cancer. At Raleigh Radiology, the digital images are enhanced with intelligent processing and computer aided detection (CAD) as well.
A diagnostic mammogram is performed when the patient has signs or symptoms that could indicate a problem such as pain, mass, discharge or tissue thickening. Diagnostic mammography starts with two views of each breast. The images are reviewed by the radiologist while you are at the office and, if more information is needed, additional views and/or an ultrasound may be performed during your visit.
A screening mammogram is a routine examination performed when there are no signs or symptoms. Screening mammography exams are two views of each breast. The radiologist does not review screening mammograms while you are at the office. If follow up work is required, you are contacted and scheduled for a return visit.
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