| Breast cancer isn't something women should take | | | | same as getting a traditional film mammogram. |
| lightly. Leading health experts recommend women | | | | In this type of mammography workstation, there are |
| over the age of 40 to be screened for breast cancer | | | | two pictures taken of each breast are taken. During |
| every one to two years. Women at a higher risk for | | | | the first, the patient is faced toward the platform |
| breast cancer, such as family history of breast | | | | and the RIS PACS image is shot down at the breast. |
| cancer, shouldn't hesitate and schedule an | | | | The second image is a side view and then repeated |
| appointment with a mammography viewer. These | | | | on the other breast. Some techniques include |
| women are more likely to benefit from one than | | | | magnification mammography which allows an image |
| those at lower a risk. | | | | to be zoomed in to a specific area of interest and |
| The latest mammography viewer being used in | | | | then transferred to a PACS viewer to be analyzed |
| offices across the country is digital mammography. | | | | later on. |
| This newer technology takes an x-ray image and | | | | There are no diagnostic tests necessary before a |
| stores it electronically on a computer through the use | | | | digital mammography viewer. Most doctors simply |
| of RIS PACS. Digital mammography stores images on | | | | recommend monthly self-exams and yearly breast |
| a PACS web viewer or simple PACS viewer, allows | | | | exams by your regular practitioner. |
| of altering of the image, and transmission much more | | | | There are certain recommendations which you should |
| efficiently. Another great thing about digital | | | | think about prior to scheduling a mammogram:o |
| mammography workstation is the fact it doesn't use | | | | Schedule one when your breast tissue is least tender. |
| nearly as much radiation as traditional film | | | | This is typically one week after your period.o Women |
| mammography. | | | | often report less discomfort if they cut out |
| There have been a number of studies showing that a | | | | caffeinated beverages and take vitamin E for several |
| digital mammography viewer can be beneficial for not | | | | weeks before the mammography viewer exam.o |
| only women over 40 but also all women, especially | | | | Inform the mammography workstation technician if |
| those with dense breast tissue. It isn't too different | | | | you are pregnant, have breast implants, or are |
| from what you would be used to either. The | | | | breastfeeding. Implants create problems on the PACS |
| positioning and compression of the breast are the | | | | web viewer by making it more difficult to see all the |
| same in both traditional film and a digital | | | | necessary breast tissue. |
| mammography workstation. It feels basically the | | | | |