Cleveland County women now have a new weapon in the fight against breast cancer thanks to the county’s first ever digital mammography system now operating at Cleveland Regional Medical Center.

“We are excited to be able to bring this state of the art technology to Cleveland County,” said Liz Popwell, FACHE, Chief Ancillary Executive at CRMC. “Digital mammography brings a new and innovative tool in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.”

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States and early detection is critical. That’s why the National Cancer Institute (NCI) recommends that women in their 40s be screened every one to two years with mammography. Women ages 50 and older be screened every one to two years; and women who are higher than average risk of breast cancer should seek expert medical advice about whether they should begin screening before age 40.

Women with dense breasts, who are pre- or perimenopausal (women who had a last menstrual period within 12 months of their mammograms), or who are younger than age 50 may benefit from having a digital rather than a film mammogram, according to the National Cancer Institute.

DIGITAL VS. FILM

Both digital and film mammography use X-rays to produce an image of the breast. However, in film mammography, which has been used for more than 35 years, the image is created directly on film.

Prior studies have suggested that approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of breast cancers that were detected by breast self-examination or physical examination are not visible on film mammography.

A major limitation of film mammography is the film itself. Once a film mammogram is obtained, it cannot be significantly altered; if the film is underexposed, for example, contrast is lost and cannot be regained.

On the other hand, digital mammography takes an electronic image of the breast and stores it directly in a computer. Mammographers see the image in about 8 to 10 seconds and are able to judge quality on the spot.

The process still requires compression of the breast, but for a lesser time period because the mammographer can rapidly see the image on a monitor rather than after developing the film. The compression is necessary as it reduces the X-ray dose to the breast and allows for the radiologist to view the different tissues within the breast more clearly.

Although the compression process has not changed, the new digital mammography platform is warm to the touch and the edges are softer – a difference most women will appreciate.

If a normal screening took 15 to 20 minutes, the digital screening should take 10 at the most. Digital will mean faster results for women having a diagnostic mammogram – those who have felt a lump and been advised by their physician to have a mammogram.

“The radiologist will not have to wait for the film to be processed,” said Donna Ledbetter, chief technologist and mammography coordinator at CRMC “They can look at the mammogram almost from the time it is captured.”

With a digital image come new tools for the radiologist to use for viewing. “We can manipulate the image and we’re not locked into a set technique like you would be with a film screen modality,” said Ledbetter. “We can lighten, darken, magnify or rotate the image.”

Because the image is stored directly in a computer, digital mammograms are easily retrievable and can be sent electronically to another facility if needed.

“We want better patient outcomes,” Popwell said, “and that means early detection. The earlier you can find a cancer, the more treatable it is and consequently the better your chances.”

CRMC radiologists also use iCAD, where images are passed through a computer and compared with a database of 12,000 images of known cancers.

BREAST HEALTH

If a radiologist is concerned with something on the mammogram, patients will face additional tests or even biopsies.

One additional test could be an ultrasound – readily available near the mammogram exam room. In most cases, the ultrasound, which uses high frequency sound waves to obtain images from inside the body, can be performed the same day as the mammogram. It is a painless procedure.

If the ultrasound reveals something suspicious as well, then women face having a biopsy, and CRMC offers a variety of ways to get a sample of the tissue. Some biopsies will require surgery with general anesthesia. However, many can be performed within the radiology department through minimally invasive stereotactic breast biopsies.

While 80 percent of breast biopsies come back negative, 20 percent do come back positive and patients will need additional tests.

To schedule a digital mammogram at CRMC, call 980-487-3141.