General Information Mammography and Breast … Information Mammography and Breast Cancer Screening nc. s medical 05-16-PC-143_PatientBroch.qxd 4/18/05 12:19 PM Page 2 You’ve made

General InformationMammography andBreast Cancer Screening

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You’ve made an appointment with yourdoctor for a mammogram. If this is yourfirst mammogram, you probably have afew questions about the examinationprocedure. We’d like to answer some ofyour questions to help ease your mindabout your appointment.

Regular screening examinations enableearly detection of breast cancer, whichleads to a significant increase in thechance of recovery. Mammography isconsidered the best way to detect breastcancer in its earliest, most treatable stage.

Breast cancer is the most commoncancer among women, except for skincancer, and it is the second leadingcause of cancer death in women, afterlung cancer.

One out of eight women will developbreast cancer some time during her life –this means one new diagnosis every2 minutes. Every 13 minutes, a womanwill die of breast cancer, according to theNational Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC).The death rates from breast cancer havedeclined significantly and medicalexperts attribute the decline to earlierdetection and more effective treatments.

General InformationMammography andBreast Cancer Screening

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What is a Mammogram?

A mammogram is a special X-rayexamination of the breast. Theexamination is performed bycompressing the patient’s breastbetween two plates to capture theimage of the breast tissue. Whilethere may be some discomfort, it isimportant that the breast iscompressed to increase the imagequality and lower the exposure toradiation. At least two images aretaken of each breast. Each breast isX-rayed once from top to bottomand once at a slight angle. Themammography images are thenreviewed by the physician anddiscussed with the patient.

Who should have aMammogram?

There are two types ofmammograms – a screeningmammogram and a diagnosticmammogram.

A screening mammogram is anX-ray examination of the breasts ina woman who has no complaintsor symptoms of breast cancer. Thegoal is to detect cancer when it isstill too small to be felt by awoman or her physician. Screeningmammograms are recommendedevery year for women once theyreach 40 years of age. In someinstances, physicians mayrecommend beginning screeningmammography before age 40(i.e., if the woman has a strongfamily history of breast cancer).

A diagnostic mammogram isadvisable for anyone who noticesany change in their breast like alump or hardening when palpatingthe breast or armpits, has a familyhistory of breast cancer, or has hadan abnormality found during ascreening mammogram. Adiagnostic mammogram is usuallymore time-consuming becauseadditional images need to be takenof the areas of concern and abiopsy may need to be performed.

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Analog Mammography

Analog mammography records imagesusing film processing (as compared todigital, discussed below). Theexamination is performed by placingthe patient’s breast between themammography unit’s X-ray tube and anX-ray film and then carefully pressing itagainst a compression plate. The X-rayspassing through the breast tissueblacken the X-ray film. However, theX-ray film remains white at locationswhere the X-rays were not able to passthrough the tissue. The result is a black-gray-and-white image of the breast.

Digital Mammography

Another type of mammography isdigital mammography. The examinationprocedure is exactly the same as foranalog mammography. However,instead of exposing film, the X-rays hitan advanced detector, which senses theimage data digitally and electronically.The resulting images are evaluated bythe physician with a special computer.Several software tools are also at thedoctor’s disposal to simplify diagnosis.

Radiation Exposure During Digitaland Analog MammographyBoth analog and digital mammographyinvolve the use of X-rays. However, theradiation dose generated lies in the lowdose range.

What Types of MammographyAre Available?

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Benefits of DigitalMammography

• Up to 40% less radiation doseover standard film mammography

• Fewer callbacks or retakes foradditional images becauseimages can be enhanced withthe computer

• Less time may be neededbecause the results are seenmore quickly – so that means lessanxiety and discomfort for you

• The doctor can electronicallymanipulate images with digitalmammograms for a moreaccurate diagnosis

• The potential for more efficientaccess to mammograms ispossible because digitalmammograms can beelectronically transmitted toanother physician for viewingor printing

Digital Mammographyat its Very BestMAMMOMAT NovationDR

• Siemens proprietary Tungstentube technology delivers thelowest possible dose

• Patient comfort features such asflexible paddles and a patentedtechnique called OpComp® thatsenses breast thickness for amore comfortable compression

• Helps increase cancer detectionrates with Computer AssistedDiagnosis (CAD) markers

• Largest detector allows imagingof almost all breast sizes

• Excellent image quality

• Latest full-field detectortechnology based on amorphousselenium (a-SE)

• Increased detection of small andlow contrast objects

State-of-the-Art DigitalMammography System

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This facility is pleased to offer the state-of-the-art digital mammographysystem from Siemens Medical Solutions called MAMMOMAT® NovationDR.


As one of the world’s largest healthcare solution providers, Siemens MedicalSolutions stands for innovative products, services, and complete solutions.Siemens has been manufacturing mammography systems since 1971.Several thousand systems are installed worldwide and decades of dedicationand experience have shown Siemens to be a trustworthy partner in the field ofgynecology and the early detection of breast cancer. The Siemens mammographyproduct line includes both analog and digital mammography systems.

Siemens andMammography

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To date, the research conducted

on cancer and, more specifically,

breast cancer has not been

sufficient to reveal its exact

causes. However, regular

screening improves the chances

that a growing tumor will be

detected early enough to be

treated before the disease

spreads and becomes a potential

threat to the patient’s life.

Siemens Medical is dedicated to

the early detection and treatment

of breast cancer through

education on the importance of

early screening as well as through

the development of innovative,

new mammography systems.

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On account of certain regional limitations of sales

rights and service availability, we cannot guarantee

that all products and features included in this

brochure are available through the Siemens sales

organization worldwide. Siemens reserves the right

to modify the design, packaging, specifications, and

options described herein without prior notice. Please

contact your local Siemens sales representative for

the most current information. Note: Any technical

data contained in this document may vary within

defined tolerances. Original images always lose a

certain amount of detail when reproduced.

The information in this document contains general

technical descriptions of specifications and options as

well as standard and optional features which may not

always be present in individual cases.

Siemens Medical Solutions USA51 Valley Stream ParkwayMalvern, PA 19355-1406 USATelephone: 1-888-826-9702www.usa.siemens.com/medical

© 2005 Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Printed in USA

05-16-PC-143 03-2005

Your Digital Mammography appointment is scheduled for:

Date:

Time:

If you have any questions, please call us at:

Siemens MedicalSolutions that help


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