Your ExamDigital Mammography
At KCIC we are proud to be a Softer Mammogram Provider®. All of our mammogram patients are offered the MammoPad®, which makes the mammogram more warm and comfortable for most patients.
Breast Cancer will affect an average of one in eight women sometime in their lifetime. It is the second most common cause of cancer related deaths in women, second only to lung cancer. Numerous studies prove that early detection is a vital component in the successful treatment of breast cancer.
What is Full Field Digital Mammography?
Digital Mammography uses computers and specially designed digital detectors to
produce an image that can be displayed on a high-resolution computer monitor
and transmitted and stored just like a computer file. The key role of mammography
is in identifying a site of breast cancer early in its development when it is
very small and often a year or two before it is large enough to be felt as a
lump. These small cancers have a much better response to treatment and often
require much less surgical or drug treatment. Mammography detects approximately
2-3 times as many "early" breast cancers as physical examination,
and is the best method for screening for breast cancer.
Mammography is currently the best screening examination for breast
cancer.
Approximately 10% of palpable breast lumps that may be malignant are not
detected mammographically. In those cases, breast self-examination, in addition
to examination by your doctor, is important for early detection of breast
cancer.
You Have Options? What Is CAD?
Computer-aided detection (CAD) is a recent advance in mammography
which helps the Radiologist identify abnormalities within the breast. CAD
technology reviews digitized mammograms and marks areas of suspected abnormalities.
When using a CAD system, the Radiologist always makes the final interpretation
of the mammogram. CAD improves the rate of detection of small abnormalities
of the breast, increasing the chances of successful treatment. Interpretation
with CAD is similar to having a mammogram read by two Radiologists.
What Should I Expect?
A typical mammogram consists of two views of each breast in which they are pressed
firmly between two plates. Women with implants require four additional views
to visualize tissue - using the Ecklund Technique (implants are pushed back
and breast tissue is pulled forward).
The complete procedure takes only a few minutes, performed by a trained technologist under the supervision of a qualified Radiologist. He or she will analyze the images, looking for specific abnormalities or changes related to cancer. A written report will then be sent to your doctor. On occasion, the doctor may order additional views or other techniques such as ultrasound or MRI.
How Should I Prepare?
When preparing for the exam please do not wear deodorant or talcum
powder on the day of the exam.
How Do I Get the Results?
After your study is over, the images will be evaluated by one of
our board-certified radiologists, with expertise in breast imaging. A final
report will be sent to your doctor who can then discuss the results with
you in detail.
For more information please visit www.Radiologyinfo.org
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