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<\/p>\nHave you asked whether your clinic uses digital, rather than conventional mammography? It could make a difference.<\/p>\n
One of the largest mammography trials ever has shown that the overall radiation dose of digital mammography is significantly lower than conventional film mammography. The reduction in radiation averages 22%. Plus, the reduction could be greater for those with larger and denser breasts. More than 60% of breast imaging facilities in the US offer digital mammography, and the availability is increasing.<\/p>\n
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R. Edward Hendrick, PhD, lead author of the study, said that having the ability to reduce radiation dose for women is yet another step forward in mammography, which already saves thousands of lives every year.<\/p>\n
The study, which included data from 5,102 participants, demonstrated that the radiation dose received by women who had digital mammography was significantly lower than the radiation dose received by the same women who were imaged with standard film mammography. The study was published in the February issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n “The average breast radiation dose per view was 2.37 mGy for film mammography and 1.86 mGy for digital,” said Hendrick. The doses represent a big difference — a 22% reduction for women getting digital mammograms instead of conventional.<\/p>\n What is digital mammography<\/strong>?<\/p>\n It’s like conventional mammography except X-ray images are collected on a digital detector and stored on a computer instead of film. Hendricks noted that while the radiation dose is low in both methods<\/strong>, digital mammography can better detect cancers in women with dense breasts. Plus, the lower radiation dose is a benefit for any woman.<\/p>\n A previously published study in 2005 from the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) found that digital mammography finds up to 28% more cancers than film mammography when used in women younger than 50 years of age and women with dense breasts.<\/p>\n (Image via MorgueFile<\/a>)<\/p>\n Post from: Blisstree<\/a><\/p>\n