Digital mammography is more efficient and delivers lower dose of radiation than standard film mammography

The American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (DMIST) published in 2005, enrolled 49,528 women and found that digital mammography detected significantly (up to 28%) more cancers than film mammography in women younger than 50 years of age, premenopausal and preimenopausal women, and women with dense breasts.

In this latest DMIST study, published in AJR, technical data from 5,102 DMIST participants were evaluated, demonstrating that the average  dose of radiation received by women imaged with digital mammography was significantly lower (1.86 mGy) than that received by the same women imaged with standard film mammography (2.37 mGy) – 22% lower, although researchers stress that even the this is already low.

Digital mammography is similar to conventional except with digital, X-ray images are collected on a digital detector and stored on a computer rather than being collected and stored on film. Access to digital mammography continues to increase. More than 60% of U.S. breast imaging facilities offer digital mammography and more are acquiring digital services each month.

Courtesy of Science  Daily

01/10

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