Digital Mammography
Mammograms are one of the most important tools clinicians have to help them diagnose, evaluate, and follow women who've had breast cancer. Although mammograms do not prevent breast cancer, they can save lives by finding breast cancer as early as possible.
What is a digital mammogram?
A mammogram is a special type of x-ray that allows for the examination of breast tissue. It is an important tool used in the diagnosis of breast cancer and other breast conditions.
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 compute and our board-certified radiologist can review the digital mammogram on a high-resolution computer monitor.
Studies have shown digital mammography to be significantly more accurate than screen-film mammography in women with dense breast tissue and women who are premenopausal or perimenopausal.
Harvard Vanguard and the other Atrius Health affiliated medical groups (Dedham Medical, Granite Medical, Southboro Medical Group, and South Shore Medical Center) currently offer two convenient locations for digital mammography services - Harvard Vanguard's Kenmore practice and the Atrius Health Imaging Center in Weymouth.
Click here for answers to frequently asked questions about digital mammography.