These findings were recently published nationally in an on-line article by the New England Journal of Medicine¹. This study impacts women locally as it coincides with Inland Imaging’s introduction of digital mammography to the Spokane community.

As part of our continued commitment to offering the latest in breast imaging technology, and in addition to our comprehensive breast imaging service, Inland Imaging now offers digital mammography. “This study only adds validity to a growing number of reasons why we as a group chose to convert to digital mammography. The results show that digital mammography could improve breast cancer detection for all or some groups of women,” says Dr. Cindy Tortorelli, a clinical breast imaging specialist with Inland Imaging.

Other benefits of digital mammography at Inland Imaging include expanded options in viewing the breast, shortened exam times and decreased x-ray exposure.

In the past, screen film mammography was considered the gold standard in breast cancer screening. During this process, x-rays pass through the breast and film is used to record and display the images. In contrast, digital mammography uses computers and specially designed digital detectors to produce an image that can be displayed on a high-resolution computer monitor and then stored as computer files.

From a patient’s point of view, having a digital mammogram is very much like having a film-based mammogram: both use compression and x-rays to create clear images of the breast. Unlike film-based mammography, images produced from digital mammography appear on the technologist’s monitor in a matter of seconds, which equates to shorter exam times and decreased anxiety. Also, since the images are digital, Inland radiologists can magnify and optimize different parts of breast tissue which, for some women, may eliminate the need to take an additional image. This reduces the patient’s exposure to x-ray and saves additional time.

Because the images are electronic, they can be transmitted quickly to other medical professionals involved in the care of women. This also eliminates the current dependence on only one set of ‘original’ films, which are elemental in evaluating changes occurring in the year between a woman’s mammograms. Additionally, mammograms at Inland Imaging are still being reviewed by another important technology. Computer-aided detection (CAD) involves the use of computers to bring suspicious areas on a mammogram to the radiologist’s attention. It is used after the radiologist has done the initial review of the mammogram. Many radiologists refer to CAD as a second set of eyes. Research related to mammograms supplemented with CAD indicates a 10 percent increase in cancer detection rates. Advanced technology, partnered with our team of dedicated clinical breast imaging specialists, ensures our patients receive the most accurate diagnosis to meet their individual needs.

We are pleased to have the continued opportunity to partner with community physicians to offer patients the latest innovations in digital imaging and breast cancer detection. To schedule your digital mammogram, please call Inland Imaging at 509.455.4455.

(1) Pisano, E. et al. Diagnostic Performance of Digital versus Film Mammography for Breast-Cancer Screening. N Engl J Med 2005; 353, http://content.nejm.org/.