Great News for Women!

AMI now offers Direct Digital Mammography
Exams and Preps > Mammography

Mammograms are x-ray images of the breast tissue used to detect and diagnose breast diseases. These exams require a degree of breast compression in order to obtain accurate images.  Mammograms are performed in a private suite by a female, certified technician.

Direct Digital Mammography is offered at our Women's Diagnostic Center in Silverdale and South Kitsap.  This state-of-the-art technology is a tremendous advance in breast cancer detection.  Digital mammography uses computers and digital detectors to produce an electronic image of the breast.  These images are stored in a computer and displayed on a high-resolution computer monitor.  The excellent image quality with superior contrast resolution, especially in dense breast tissue and the ability to electronically manipulate images, will make a more accurate detection of breast cancer for many patients. You can visit www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/DMISTrelease to read a recent study on "Digital vs. Film Mammography".  For answers to commonly asked questions regarding digital mammography and related studies, visit www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/DMISTQandA.

Digital mamography lends itself to CAD-Computer Assisted Diagnosis-which obtains a second, computerized reading in the hope of finding more cancers or more accurately gauging signs of malignancy.

There are two basic types of mammograms.
Screening mammograms: this exam is performed on individuals with no breast symptoms for the early detection of breast cancer. This includes patients with a family history of breast cancer who do not have breast symptoms. Two views of each breast are performed during the screening mammogram.

Diagnostic mammograms: this exam is ordered when there are specific breast symptoms defined as--abnormal screening mammogram; breast lump or thickening; focalized breast pain; nipple discharge; previous personal history of breast cancer; previous significant breast surgery (breast reduction or implants). This exam includes the routine two views and additional pictures of the area of concern.  This exam must have a physician order or referral

Mammography detects many abnormalities before they can be felt, but it is not a perfect test. If you or your physician feels a lump, you should discuss it with your doctor even if your mammogram is normal.

If you are experiencing any problems such as pain, discharge or if you have any lumps or breast implants, let us know before your appointment in order to make sure the correct procedure is performed.

New South Kitsap Office for Digital Mammography

AMI is happy to announce our new location in Port Orchard for direct digital mammography.  Our patients in the South Kitsap area- Port Orchard, Gig Harbor and Mason County will appreciate this new office, open Monday through Friday with convenient hours and lots of easy parking.  We are located on the first floor of the Harrison Medical Center South Kitsap campus at the corner of South Kitsap Boulevard and Tremont.  For appointments, call 360-337-6500 or toll free 800-972-9264.

Large Clinical Trial Shows Benefits of Digital Mammography

Digital mammography detected significantly (up to 28%) more cancers than screen film mammography in women 50 and younger, premenopausal and perimenopausal women, and women with dense breasts, according to results from the ACRIN Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (DMIST).

Conducted by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) and funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the trial included researchers at 33 sites across the United States and Canada.

 "The results of the DMIST trail will greatly benefit clinicians and patients, and we are confident that it will improve our ability to detect early, curable breast cancer in women."

Starting in October 2001, DMIST enrolled 49,528 women at 33 sites in the United States and Canada who had no signs of breast cancer. Women in the trial were given both digital and film mammograms. Mammograms were interpreted independently by two different radiologists. Breast cancer status of DMIST participants was determined through available breast biopsy information obtained within 15 months of study entry or through follow-up mammography approximately one year later.

The study showed that, for certain groups of women, digital mammography detected up to 28% more cancers than standard film mammography. These subgroups of women who benefit from digital mammography are women under age 50, premenopausal and perimenopausal women, and women with dense breasts. A large percentage of women who undergo screening mammography may fall into one or more of these subgroups. In fact, in the DMIST trial, 65% of women were within at least one of these groups.

At present, only 8 percent of mammography units in the USA are digital systems, although this number is expected to increase over time. Advanced Medical Imaging is currently offering Digital Mammography and after December 26, 2006,  all mammograms performed at the facility will be digital.

No creams, powders or deodorants should be applied to your underarms or breasts prior to a mammogram. Tiny particles, which cannot be seen by the eye, can cause artifacts on the mammogram film.