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UAMS technologist checks
digital mammography equipment
prior to procedure
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Mammography continues to be one of the best methods of discovering breast cancer, and standard diagnostic mammograms are usually reliable and accurate. For many women, however, a digital mammogram is a better diagnostic tool than a film mammogram. Additionally, digital mammograms are faster, provide more options for evaluating suspicious findings, can be magnified and enhanced for a more thorough evaluation, and significantly reduce the need for additional mammograms. The UAMS Breast Center is entirely digital.
The New England Journal of Medicine published a study by the National Cancer Institute that included statistics on 42,760 women located at 33 sites across the United States and Canada. Each woman in the study underwent both digital and film mammography to determine if the digital procedure was more accurate in detecting breast cancer than film screen technique. The status of participants was based on the result of breast biopsies done within 15 months and follow-up mammograms done at least 10 months after entering the study.
The landmark results showed that the accuracy of digital mammograms was significantly greater than film mammograms in detecting breast cancer for the following groups:
- Women who are younger than 50
- Women who have dense breasts
- Women who are premenopausal
- Women who had their last menstrual period within 12 months of the test
The American Cancer Society recommends that all women receive annual diagnostic mammograms beginning at age 40. A baseline mammogram at the age of 35 can be a very helpful tool in comparing breast tissue in mammograms taken in later years.
When detected in its early stages, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer patients is 95%. After the disease spreads to the lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate drops to 60%.
Robert L. Fincher, M.D., medical director of our UAMS Breast Center, pioneered virtually every breast imaging procedure in Arkansas including both stereotactic and ultrasound guided core biopsy. Dr. Fincher has interpreted over 150,000 mammograms, performed over 15,000 breast ultrasounds, 8,000 needle localizations and 5,000 core biopsies.
Please contact us to learn more about digital mammograms at UAMS.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For an Appointment
501-526-6100
Toll Free: 1-877-629-2096
Office
501-526-7300
Hours
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Location
Outpatient Center, 1st floor, Room 1200
 Maps and Directions
Mailing Address
UAMS Breast Center
4301 West Markham, #547-21
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-7199
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