Archbold Medical Center| Archives Magazine | Winter 2014

15 / 24

WINTER 2014 15
ALL MAMMOGRAMS start the same
way—with an x-ray of the breast. But a newer
type, called a digital mammogram, processes
images differently. It records and stores images
on a computer instead of on x-ray film.
Digital mammograms still require compressing
the breasts to get good images. But according
to the American Cancer Society (ACS), they have
some advantages over film.
Viewing and sharing
After you have a mammogram, the images are
analyzed by a specialist called a radiologist. With
digital mammograms, the radiologist can adjust
the images on the computer screen to get a better
look. He or she can change the size, brightness or
contrast to see certain areas more clearly. “Some
studies show that this reduces the number of wom-
en who need to return for extra tests,” says John B.
Carico, MD, a radiologist at Archbold.
If the radiologist wants to send the images to
your doctor or show them to another specialist,
this can easily be done electronically. Managing
images this way is similar to how digital photos
can be viewed and shared.
“Both film and digital mammograms work
well at finding breast cancer,” Dr. Carico says.
“However, several studies show that digital im-
ages may be more accurate in women younger
than 50 and in women with dense breast tissue.”
Safe and effective
While all x-rays use radiation, the dose from both
film and digital mammograms is very small. In fact,
one mammogram delivers about the same amount
of radiation as you would be exposed to flying on a
commercial flight from New York to California.
If you only have access to film mammograms,
don’t worry. Both types are very good at detecting
breast changes early, when treatment works best.
MAMMOGRAMS
Digitallyyours
According to
the ACS, women
should begin
having yearly
mammograms
at age 40. To find
out more, visit
the ACS at
Mammography
technician Cindy
Whitfield, RT(R)(M),
demonstrates the
recently launched
digital mammography
service at Mitchell
County Hospital.
John B. Carico, MD,
Radiologist
Archbold Medical Center