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A screening mammogram is performed on women with no symptoms to detect abnormalities of the breasts. Four x-ray pictures, two of each breast are taken on a dedicated x-ray machine. To obtain the best possible images with the least radiation special film is used and the breasts are compressed briefly. The exam takes approximately one half hour. The mammogram is performed by a technologist who has an advanced training and certification in breast imaging. After the x-rays are obtained they are reviewed and interpreted by a board certified radiologist, who specializes in breast imaging. All Rhode Island Medical Imaging facilities are accredited in mammography by The American College of Radiology and are inspected yearly by the FDA.
It is not uncommon for a radiologist to ask the technologist to perform special or additional x-ray pictures or a breast ultrasound to see an area better. Additional images are not always the sign of a serious problem. The interpretation of the films will be sent to your doctor and you will receive a letter with the results of your mammogram.
Screening mammograms, performed at several Rhode Island Medical Imaging facilities are sent to our Breast Imaging Center at the Randall Square facility for interpretation and all additional imaging and diagnostic evaluations are performed at our Breast Imaging Center at Randall Square where there is always a radiologist who specializes in breast imaging on the premises.
It is important for the radiologist to compare your current mammogram with your prior mammogram. If your prior films were not obtained at Rhode Island Medical Imaging, please bring them with you to your appointment or tell the scheduler where they were taken, so that we may obtain them in time for your appointment.
Two recent enhancements to traditional mammography include digital mammography and computer-aided detection.
Digital mammography, also called full-field digital mammography (FFDM), is a mammography system in which the x-ray film is replaced by solid-state detectors that convert x-rays into electrical signals. These detectors are similar to those found in digital cameras. The electrical signals are used to produce images of the breast that can be seen on a computer screen or printed on special film similar to conventional mammograms. From the patient's point of view, digital mammography is essentially the same as the screen-film system.
See "Full-Field Digital Mammography: A Potential Alternative to the Traditional Film-Screen Technique?" under the News heading for more information on how FFDM works and its potential advantages.
Computer-aided detection (CAD) systems use a digitized mammographic image that can be obtained from either a conventional film mammogram or a digitally acquired mammogram. The computer software then searches for abnormal areas of density, mass, or calcification that may indicate the presence of cancer. The CAD system highlights these areas on the images, alerting the radiologist to the need for further analysis.
Do not wear any powder or deodorant under the arms or around the breast area.
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