Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting women, making early detection critical for improving survival rates and treatment outcomes. In Buffalo, NY, digital mammography has become the gold standard for breast cancer screening, offering a more accurate, faster, and patient-friendly approach compared to traditional mammography methods. If you’re wondering whether digital mammography is the right choice for you, this article will outline its benefits and why it’s the best option for breast cancer screening in Buffalo, NY.

At Great Lakes Medical Imaging (GLMI), we are committed to providing state of the art mammography services to women in Buffalo and Western New York. Let’s dive into why digital mammography should be your choice for breast cancer screening.

What Is Digital Mammography?
An Overview of Digital Mammography
Digital mammography is an advanced form of mammography where X-ray images of the breast are captured and stored electronically. These digital images can be viewed, manipulated, and enhanced on a computer screen, allowing radiologists to detect even the smallest abnormalities in the breast tissue. This method of breast cancer screening is more precise than traditional film mammography and provides better overall image quality.

Unlike traditional mammography, where the images are stored on photographic film, digital mammograms produce clear, high-resolution images that can be adjusted for better visibility. The ability to zoom, adjust contrast, and manipulate the image makes it easier for doctors to spot potential issues such as tumors or abnormal tissue changes.

The Benefits of Digital Mammography for Breast Cancer Screening
1. Enhanced Image Quality for Better Detection
How Digital Mammography Improves Detection
One of the most significant benefits of digital mammography is its ability to provide higher-quality images compared to traditional film mammography. This enhanced clarity helps radiologists identify smaller tumors or abnormalities that may not be visible on film mammograms.

Sharper Images: Digital mammography provides better resolution, allowing for clearer visualization of dense breast tissue, which can be challenging to read with film mammography.
Increased Sensitivity: With digital technology, radiologists can more accurately identify areas of concern, which can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
In cases of dense breasts, which is common in younger women, digital mammography is especially beneficial. The high-quality images allow radiologists to differentiate between normal tissue and potential tumors more effectively.

2. Faster Results and Shorter Wait Times
How Digital Mammography Improves Workflow
Digital mammography provides a faster turnaround time for results compared to film mammography. Since the images are captured electronically, there is no need for the lengthy process of developing film. This not only speeds up the imaging process but also improves the efficiency of the workflow.

Instant Image Review: After the images are taken, they can be immediately viewed by the radiologist on a computer screen, which reduces the time spent waiting for your results.
Improved Scheduling: The efficiency of digital mammography allows for more patients to be scheduled each day, making it easier for women in Buffalo to access timely breast cancer screenings.

3. Better Accuracy for Dense Breast Tissue
How Digital Mammography Helps Detect Cancer in Dense Breasts
Dense breast tissue is common, particularly in women under the age of 50, and can make it more difficult to detect tumors using traditional mammography. In dense breasts, both the tissue and tumors appear white on film mammograms, which can make tumors harder to distinguish from the surrounding tissue.

Digital mammography offers significant advantages for women with dense breasts:

Improved Contrast and Detail: With digital technology, radiologists can adjust the contrast and brightness of images, helping them distinguish between dense tissue and tumors.
More Accurate Detection: The high-resolution images provided by digital mammography increase the likelihood of detecting abnormalities in dense breasts, improving early detection rates and treatment outcomes.

4. Reduced Radiation Exposure
How Digital Mammography Uses Lower Radiation Levels
While mammography involves the use of radiation, digital mammography typically requires less radiation compared to traditional film mammography. This means that women undergoing regular breast cancer screenings may have a reduced risk of radiation exposure.

Lower Radiation Dose: Digital mammography uses modern technology to achieve high-quality images with a lower dose of radiation, making it safer for frequent screenings.
FDA Approval: Digital mammography has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in breast cancer screening, further confirming its safety and efficacy.
This reduction in radiation exposure is particularly important for women who require regular mammograms as part of breast cancer prevention or early detection.

5. Better Storage and Easy Access to Results
How Digital Mammography Enhances Record Keeping
One of the greatest benefits of digital mammography is the ability to store and access results electronically. This makes it easier to compare current mammogram images with previous ones, allowing radiologists to monitor changes in breast tissue over time.

Source : https://www.glmi.com/blog/why-should-i-choose-digital-mammography-for-breast-cancer-screening-in-buffalo-ny