First DIGITAL Mammogram in Northeast Alabama
 First Siemens Novation®
  Latest DIGITAL Technology in the World Offered at
Advanced Imaging

Advanced Imaging has the latest DIGITAL Mammogram machine made; the only DIGITAL Machine in Northeast Alabama equipped with CAD. Mammograms on this machine require 60% less radiation per exposure, 30 to 40% fewer repeat images and are approximately five to eight times faster than conventional film mammography. A recent government study has found that DIGITAL Mammography is approximately 30% more effective than conventional film at finding cancers in the 65% of women who have dense breast; the Computerized Assisted Diagnosis (CAD) at Advanced Imaging increases accuracy by approximately 25% as well.

Siemens DIGITAL Mammography is faster, less uncomfortable for patients. This means minimal waiting time for patients. This unit has 60% less radiation, with 30-40% fewer retakes, for overall dose reduction of approximately 75%.

How is DIGITAL Mammography different than a standard mammogram?
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.

From the patient's perspective, the positioning, compression, and machine's appearance are all about the same. Screening mammograms are still the most effective way of detecting breast cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage, and DIGITAL technology is the most effective way to perform screening mammography.

What Can I Expect During An Examination?
A mammography examination is a routine procedure generally including the following:

• An interview to determine the reason for your visit and to prepare a brief file of your medical history.
  
• Removing your clothing from the waist up in exchange for an examination garment.
  
• Being positioned at the mammography unit.
  
• Positioning the breast with pressure applied to compress the tissue.  (You should feel firm pressure but not significant pain.  Most patients report less discomfort with compression for DIGITAL exams. If you feel discomfort, inform the technologist).
  
• Each breast may be X-rayed several times from different angles to produce optimal images for the physician to make a diagnosis.

What About Risks?
Like any X-ray procedure, mammography uses radiation. But with Advanced Imaging's State-of-the Art DIGITAL mammography equipment the radiation dose is very low. The life-saving benefits of early cancer detection far outweigh the negligible risks of low-level radiation exposure, especially with DIGITAL technology.

DIGITAL mammography exposes a woman to a very low X-ray dose, much lower than the level of radiation received every year naturally from the environment and substantially lower than traditional film screen mammography. Advanced Imaging's DIGITAL mammography machine reduces exposure by 60% per image, with 30-40% reduction in number of images needed, for overall exposure reduction of 75-80%.

Even when mammography is performed correctly at every step in the process, some cancers cannot be seen-even some that can be felt.  The combination of self-exam, regular visits to your doctor, and mammography will give the best results.  That's why you shouldn't give up monthly self breast-exams just because you are having DIGITAL mammography screening.  If you feel a lump, see your doctor.

Remember, early detection of breast cancer is the key to treatment and cure, so examinations are important. However, individual examinations needs vary. Due to factors such as advancing age and family history, some women are at higher risk than others. Of course, women with symptoms should see their doctor without hesitation. Women without symptoms should be sure to consult their physician to determine their individual breast examination needs.

Breast Cancer
One out of 8 American women develops breast cancer. The exact cause is not yet known, so little can be done to prevent it.  However, it is clear that the earlier breast cancer is detected, when the tumor is smallest, the better the chances for treatment and cure. Breast examinations by women themselves, by physicians, and by state of the art technology such as DIGITAL mammography are vital to early detection, and why more women are recovering from breast cancer today than ever before. Important symptoms to watch for include changes in breast contour, dimpling, scaling, or puckering of the skin around the nipple; nipple secretion; a lump or thickening; or other changes that you feel are not normal.  However, breast cancer symptoms are often not obvious - no lump, no pain, nothing.  So, symptoms or not, check with your physician about the special benefits of DIGITAL mammography, since its advanced technology can help detect breast cancer at the earliest phase to maximize effectiveness of treatment and cure.

CAD (Computer Assisted Diagnostics)
CAD is a computerized review of DIGITAL mammography image data to double check for abnormalities. A computer program scans the images and reviews the data to see if the computer senses suspicious changes. The programs are designed to maximize sensitivity at the expense of specificity (pointing out many areas for closer review, though the vast majority turns out NOT to be real pathology).

Stereotactic Biopsy
Traditionally, options for suspicious findings on mammograms have been limited to repeated follow-ups (sit, wait, and watch) or biopsy (surgery). "Stereotactic" is an image guided means of obtaining a precise sample of actual tissue with a suction/needle device. With the latest equipment such as the Siemens OPDIMA imager and Suros biopsy device at Advanced Imaging, this procedure can be performed in a few minutes and leaving only a tiny scar.  Stereotactic is an excellent means to sample a questionable focus and prove it is not a cancer. Proven cancers still will require surgical/excisional biopsy to be removed.

The Breast Self-Exam:
You should examine your breasts every month and have your doctor examine them during regular checkups.  If you menstruate, a good time to examine your breasts is soon after your period ends.  Women who are pregnant or who no longer menstruate should examine their breasts at the same time every month.  The breast self-exam is a good way to find lumps or other changes in the breasts.  However, it should not take the place of mammography.  Mammography can detect growths that are too small for you or your doctor to feel.

• The self-exam should be done in good light.  Stand or sit in front of a mirror, arms at your sides.  Look for dimpling, puckering, or redness of the breast skin, pulling in of the nipples, and changes in breast size or shape.  Look for the same signs with your hands pressed tightly on your hips and then with your arms raised high.
• Lie flat on your back.  Place a folded towel or pillow under your left shoulder and place your left hand under or over your head.  With your right hand, keeping the fingers flat and together, gently feel your left breast without pressing too hard.  Use small, circular motions.  Begin at the top of your breast and move around the outside in a large circle.  When you return to the top, move your hand closer to the nipple and make a smaller circle.  Do this in smaller and smaller circles until you have examined all of the breast tissue.
• Examine the nipple areas in the same way.  Gently squeeze the nipple and check for any discharge.  Also be sure to examine the areas below the armpits.  Then do the same on the other breast.
• Self examination of the breast is a precaution and should not be substituted for medical examination by a qualified doctor.