Mammography
- What is a Mammography?
- What can I expect?
- What is Digital Mammography?
- What is CAD?
- Which Health Diagnostics facilities offer this service?
What is a Mammography?
A Mammogram is a safe, low-dose x-ray picture of the breast that allows early detection of breast cancer. In a screening mammogram, images are taken at two angles for each breast. A diagnostic mammogram, which requires additional angles, is conducted when something of concern is found on the original screening mammogram, or for special circumstances such as breast implants.
What can I expect?
You will be positioned in front of a special x-ray machine. Each of your breasts will be pressed momentarily between an adjustable platform and a clear plate. Pressure is necessary to flatten the breast in order to get the clearest picture. The entire exam typically takes about 10-15 minutes.
What is Digital Mammography?
Digital mammography, also called full-field digital mammography (FFDM), is a mammography system in which the x-ray film is replaced by solid-state detectors that convert x-rays into electrical signals. These detectors are similar to those found in digital cameras. The electrical signals are used to produce images of the breast that can be seen on a computer screen or printed on special film similar to conventional mammograms. From the patient's point of view, having a digital mammogram is essentially the same as having a conventional film screen mammogram.
What is CAD?
Computer-aided detection (CAD) systems make a digitized mammographic image from either a conventional film mammogram or a digitally acquired mammogram. The computer software then searches for abnormal areas of density, mass, or calcification that may indicate the presence of cancer.
With CAD systems, radiologists have a means to overcome the known limitations of human interpretation of mammograms. Studies have shown that CAD significantly increases radiologist sensitivity for the detection of breast cancer.
Which Health Diagnostics facilities offer this service?
- Jupiter, FL
- Lake Worth, FL
- Palm Beach Gardens, FL
- Royal Palm Beach/Wellington, FL
- West Palm Beach, FL
