The impression held by most women is that all mammograms are basically the same. The reality, however, is quite different. Where you choose to have your test performed, as well as the imaging equipment used, really does make a difference. How are digital mammograms different than a standard mammogram? From a patient's perspective the positioning, compression, and how the machine looks are all about the same. Whether you have a digital mammogram or a standard film mammogram, screening mammograms are the still the most effective way of detecting breast cancer at its earliest most treatable stage. With digital mammography once the pictures or images have been taken they can be electronically manipulated - the physician can zoom in, magnify, and optimize different parts of breast tissue without having to take an additional image. For comparison think of a digital camera versus a regular film camera you use to take regular photographs. With a digital camera you put the pictures in your computer and adjust how light or dark they are and even make them larger. Digital mammography offers the same types of advantages to the physician for pictures of the breast. Digital mammograms offer new advantages over film mammography: Fewer patients need to be called back for additional images. The extra pictures that are often needed to see if the breast is normal or not are needed less often because the digital image can be enhanced with the computer before they are printed on film. Lots of information can be seen with a limited number of pictures. Less anxiety is generated if fewer pictures are required and results are seen immediately. Less time may be needed for the appointment as results are seen more quickly. The picture appears in the room on a computer monitor in 10 seconds. The technologist can check it for good positioning quality and then let the patient go. The image can then be printed and reviewed further by an expert radiologist anywhere. The experience for the patient is much faster. The doctor can electronically manipulate images with digital mammograms - zoom in, magnify, optimize different parts of breast tissue with just the 4 standard pictures. Special software allows doctors to view the entire breast on one image. Before they needed to take different pictures at different techniques to see things now seen in one picture with digital. The potential for more efficient access to mammograms is possible because digital mammograms can be transmitted, literally beamed, to another site for viewing or printing. Why we chose SenoScan® After careful evaluation of the new digital mammography systems available today, Radiology Associates chose the new SenoScan Total View™ Digital Mammography System. We felt SenoScan was far superior on two fronts: The quality of images provided by the system, as well as the revolutionary design to enhance patient comfort. In addition, SenoScan significantly reduces radiation exposure and can accommodate more breast sizes than other systems. Designed for Maximum Comfort Mammograms require a degree of breast compression in order to obtain accurate images. However, the deign of SenoScan is different from other mammography systems. It has a gently curved breast support and compression paddle. The sleek frontal profile is ideal for improved positioning. And patients experience less discomfort than with other systems. Larger Field of View Because of their large breast size, one out of five women cannot be tested by most mammography systems. But SenoScan can accommodate women who have large breasts or implants. Its larger field of view and complete selection of compression paddles can accommodate virtually any breast size. Lower Radiation SenoScan uses a slot-scanning method that limits harmful scatter radiation while maintaining high contrast sensitivity. That reduces radiation exposure to patient and the technicians up to 60 percent. With Electronic Zoom Without Electronic Zoom