Full Field Digital Mammography
High Resolution Breast Sonography
Bone Densitometry
Stereotactic Biopsies
Sonographic Biopsies
Wire Localizations
Breast MRI (Exam performed at Magnetic Imaging of Paris)

What is a Mammogram?
A mammogram is an x-ray examination of the breasts, used to detect and diagnose breast diseases. Screening mammography is used as a preventive measure for women who have no symptoms of breast disease. A screening mammogram usually involves two views of each breast. Diagnostic mammography involves additional views of the breast, and is used when an abnormality is found during screening, or in women who have breast complaints, such as a breast mass, nipple discharge, breast pain, or skin irritation. Mammography is a very safe procedure that uses low doses of radiation to produce high quality x-rays.

Why do I need a mammogram?
Breast cancer will affect an average of one in seven women sometime in their lifetime. It is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in women. Numerous studies prove that early detection is a vital component in the successful treatment of breast cancer.

Mammograms play a central role in the early detection of breast cancer because they can detect changes in the breast that may be early signs of cancer, but are too small or subtle to be felt. The use of mammography has greatly enhanced the ability to detect breast cancers at earlier stages. Now a new technology called digital mammography has been shown to be superior to older film-based mammography in the detection of early breast cancer.

Digital Mammography of Northeast Texas is proud to be one of the first facilities in the nation to offer this state-of-the-art technology and the first to offer it to the women of northeast Texas. This, along with high resolution sonography and interventional breast procedures, allows us to provide the finest services in the diagnosis and treatment of breast disease.

Are There Different Kinds of Mammograms?
Two kinds of mammograms are available;

• Screen-film mammography
• Full field digital mammography

In screen-film mammography, x-ray beams are captured on a film cassette. The film is then developed, and a radiologist reviews the films on a high-intensity light box. Until recently screen-film mammography was the only way to produce an x-ray image of the breast.

In digital mammography, x-ray beams are captured on specially designed digital detectors. The digital detector converts the x-ray beams into electronic signals, which are then sent to a computer. The radiologist can review the digital mammogram on a high-resolution computer monitor. Digital mammography has been proven to be better at diagnosing cancer than older film mammograms in most women. It has added benefits of less radiation and the ability to store and transmit the images digitally over a computer network. These images can be carefully examined on a computer monitor in ways that are impossible with older film mammograms. At Digital Mammography of Northeast Texas, we only perform digital mammograms because we want all of our patients to have the finest quality mammography possible. We are obtaining our images will the latest mammography equipment, a Lorad Selenia full field digital mammography unit. This unit is considered by many to be the most advanced digital mammography unit available. Major breast imaging clinics across the country have selected this unit for their patients as well. We are proud to be able to offer this state-of-the-art mammography to the women in the northeast Texas area.

What is 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 computer files.

From a patient's point of view, having a digital mammogram is very much like having an older, conventional film-based mammogram. Both use compression and x-rays to create images of the inside of the breast. During all mammography exams, the technologist positions the patient to image the breast from different angles and compresses the breast with a paddle to obtain optimal image quality. Unlike film-based mammography, digital mammograms produce images that appear on the technologist's monitor in a matter of seconds. There is no waiting for films to develop, which means a shorter time spent in the breast imaging suite.

Why is digital mammography better?
Unlike other parts of the body, the breast is composed mainly of soft tissue. When breast tissue is x-rayed, it creates an image that looks something like a smoky haze, making it difficult to see tiny "spots" called microcalcifications and other subtle signs of early cancer.

With digital mammography, the radiologist reviews electronic images of the breast using special high resolution monitors. The physician can adjust the brightness, change contrast, and zoom in for close-ups of specific areas of interest. Being able to manipulate images is one of the main benefits of digital mammography. Your mammogram images can even be made available to your doctor to view over an office computer. The images can also be printed on film if needed.

Digital images will also be evaluated by intelligent software called Computer Aided Detection. This software alerts the radiologist to possible abnormalities in the breast tissue. The radiologist then focuses his attention on these areas to help avoid missing an early cancer.

Another convenience of digital mammography over older film-based systems is it can greatly reduce the need for retakes due to overexposure or underexposure. This can save additional time and reduce your exposure to x-rays.

Based on a study of 43,000 women, The New England Journal of Medicine concluded that digital mammography was better at detecting cancers than older film-based mammograms.

Digital Mammography of Northeast Texas is ACR accredited in mammography. All studies are performed by registered technologists certified in mammography. All images are interpreted by board certified radiologists. Dr. Steven Clifford, a lifelong resident of Paris, is our chief radiologist.

Who Should Have Mammograms?
The American Cancer Society recommends that all women have a baseline screening mammogram between the age of 35 and 40 and that beginning at the age of 40, women have an annual screening mammogram. In addition to annual screening for women 40 and older, women with certain risk factors should discuss an appropriate screening program with their physician.

Risk Factors For Breast Cancer
Some of the known risk factors for breast cancer include:

• family or personal history of breast cancer
• early menstrual onset/late onset menopause
• use of oral contraceptives
• use of hormone replacement therapy
• alcohol use (2 or more drinks/day)

How Should I Prepare for a Mammogram?

• If you have had mammograms in different facilities, call those facilities in advance and arrange to have your previous mammograms and reports forwarded, and any other treatment reports forwarded.
• Do not wear deodorant, powder or cream under your arms - it may interfere with the quality of your mammogram.

Are Mammograms Painful?
Breast compression may cause some discomfort for a brief time during each x-ray, but it should not be painful. Breast compression helps obtain better x-rays by:

• Flattening the breast so that the maximum amount of tissue can be examined.
• Allowing a lower x-ray dose to be used, since the x-ray beams pass through a thinner amount of tissue
• Holding the breast in place to prevent blurring caused by motion.

If you have sensitive breasts, schedule your mammogram at a time of the month when your breasts will be less tender. In general, the week after a period is when breasts are less tender.

How is Mammography Performed?

• You will need to undress above the waist for this procedure. You will be given a wrap to wear during the mammogram.
• You and a breast-imaging technologist will be the only ones present during the mammogram. The technologist will position each breast, one at a time, on the mammography equipment. The breast will then be compressed, and the x-ray will be taken.
• Each x-ray will appear on the technologist's computer screen, and she will be able to make sure each image shows the right view before positioning you for the next x-ray.
• The entire procedure should take about 20 minutes.

How Will I Get My Results?
The patient will be notified by mail.