What is a Digital Mammogram.
A digital mammogram or digital mammography also uses X-rays to take images of the breast, but instead of producing the images on film, it stores them on a computer. This helps the doctor to view the results in a magnified fashion. This post is a follow up of the previous post on mammogram.
Advantages of Digital Mammograms.
Digital mammograms are especially superior to film mammograms and more beneficial in the following circumstances.
- Women with dense breasts.
- Women under the age of 50 years.
- Pre menopausal women and
- Women who are one year into post menopause.
Benefits of Digital Mammogram.
- Long distance second opinions or consultations can be taken as the computer images can be shared.
- Images on the computer can be magnified and contrast altered for more clear viewing.
- Minute differences in the normal breast tissue can be detected.
- As digital mammograms focus on a localized area, radiation exposure is reduced by 25% in spite of more views being taken.
- Results are easy to store on a computer and do not require storage spaces as in film mammograms.
- Lesser follow up tests and imaging thereby reducing exposure to radiation.
Image showing digital mammogram.
Though the procedure is the same, digital mammogram screening for breast cancer does cost more than film mammogram and this facility is not available everywhere.
Your action step.
If you feel this article could be useful, do share it on social media and pass a comment below.
Medic On WebRelated posts: