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STATE OF THE ART DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY
NOW AVAILABLE
TO DIAGNOSE BREAST CANCER AT ALBEMARLE HOSPITAL
Numerous studies, including those by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration, tout the importance of early detection
in the fight against breast cancer. Albemarle Hospital and
Regional Medical Center are proud to offer patients digital
mammography - the latest technology to help find and diagnose
breast cancer.
Digital mammography is similar to traditional mammograms;
compression and X-rays are used to create clear images of
breast tissue. It has shown to be most effective in women
less than 50 years of age, women with dense breasts, and
pre-menopausal women.
Digital mammography offers several advantages over conventional
mammography, including near immediate production of images,
which allows a technician to make sure the image is clear
before the patient leaves; the ability to store, transmit,
and copy information via computers; and the ability of radiologists
to adjust brightness, change contrast, magnify images, and
easily manipulate specific areas of the image.
"Our interest is in early detection of breast cancer,"
said George L. Jordan, D.O., the lead interpreting mammography
radiologist with Peninsula Radiological Associates who interprets
images at Albemarle Hospital. "Because the image is
now in a digital format . it makes abnormal densities, and
calcifications easier to see - and more importantly the
morphology of calcifications - and that would help us determine
if a calcification looks benign, or has suspicious characteristics
that would need to be biopsied. Conventional mammograms
are just not as clear."
From the patient's standpoint, digital mammography provides
physicians with the latest tool which either rules out abnormalities,
or helps catch them earlier.
"There are a couple of reasons we like digital mammography
for our patients,"
said Tony Ruiz, a surgeon with Carolina Surgical Care.
"There's been recent studies that show digital mammography,
in particular for women under 50, those with dense breasts,
and pre-menopausal women, provides us with a much better
image. The other thing is, because it's digital and is stored
electronically, you can have several physicians looking
at it at one time - we can sit down and review the image
together, which is a great benefit for the patient."
The NCI recommends women in their 40s and above should
be screened every one to two years with a mammogram; and
women who are at higher than average risk of breast cancer
should seek expert medical advice about whether they should
begin screening before the age of 40, and also how often
to undergo a mammogram.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), death
rates from breast cancer have been declining since 1990,
and these decreases are believed to be the result, in part,
of earlier detection and improved treatment. The awareness
of digital mammography and its benefits may be playing a
role in improving breast cancer statistics.
"This is something a lot of women have heard about,
and they know its benefits," said Dr. Ruiz. "Women
come into our office and they ask about digital mammography
. knowing we have this service available can help put our
patients' mind at ease - and that's an important aspect
in how we care for patients."
If you have any questions regarding digital mammography,
and how it may benefit your health, please ask your physician.
You must be referred by a physician to obtain a digital
mammogram at Albemarle Hospital, and Regional Medical Center.
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