Digital mammography
Early detection of breast cancer symptoms can save lives. Using a digital mammography, breast cancer can be diagnosed very early or ruled out.
Digital mammography
General Information
More details on digital mammography
Digital mammography is an X-ray examination with a very low radiation dose. Tumours can also be detected that cannot yet be felt. And if symptoms such as lumps, hardened areas or pain have been detected, mammography helps to clarify these.
Advantages
- minimal radiation dose: compared to other systems, the radiation dose is up to 50 per cent lower
- excellent resolution and image quality: crucial for the detection of microcalcifications
- diagnosis using high-resolution screens with the possibility of enlarging the image
- use of a computer-aided detection system (CAD) to increase certainty
- non-time-sensitive double diagnosis using the four-eye principle
- It is also possible to carry out mammography after plastic surgery.
- the images are stored in a digital archive
Technology
We use a modern full-field digital mammography system, a GE Senographe Essential. The system adapts optimally to the breast volume and the breast density. The best combination of the imaging parameters for optimal image quality at the lowest radiation dose is automatically chosen for each breast. The diagnosis monitors are regularly checked according to EUREF®.
Frequent applications
- detection and early detection of a mammary carcinoma
Ergänzende Untersuchungen
- breast sonography: examination of the breast using ultrasonography
- MR mammography: Using the new 18-channel mamma coil on our 3-tesla and 1.5-tesla MRT scanners, the approx. 1,500 MR mammographies carried out every year are optimised even further.
How is mammography examination carried out?
A mammography is a radiological examination of the breast. It has to be slightly compressed for this – two X-rays are taken of each breast. The digital images are then stored in our image archive and are therefore always available for comparison.
Is the examination painful?
The compression of the breast can be slightly unpleasant, but the examination does not take very long. We recommend that hormonally active women make an appointment for the examination in the second week of their cycle because the breast is then at its least sensitive.
When and how often should I have a mammography?
As part of the new early detection programme for breast cancer, women between the ages of 45 and 70 are invited by letter to a mammography screening every two years. Women between the ages of 40 and 44 and from the age of 70 have the possibility of requesting an invitation to a mammography screening by telephone on the hotline 0800 500 181 or online at www.frueh-erkennen.at.
Ist die Mammografie eine riskante Untersuchung?
The radiation dose of a mammography for two X-rays per breast only corresponds to about ten per cent of the natural radiation to which we are exposed on average per year in Austria. Through regular mammography examinations, cancer can be detected when it is still at a treatable stage. Since breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, it is a much larger risk not to have the examination.
What should I keep in mind before the examination?
We recommend that you come in the second week of your cycle. Women who do not have a cycle can make the appointments for examinations at any time. On the day of the examination, please do not use any cream or powder and inform us beforehand if you could be pregnant. If you have any images or results of earlier examinations, surgical reports or histological results, please bring these with you to the mammography.