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Screening and diagnostic mammography

Screening mammography

Screening mammography is a low-dose x-ray examination of the breast that is performed on women with no complaints or symptoms of breast cancer (asymptomatic). The goal of screening mammography is to detect breast cancer when it is still too small to be felt by a physician or the patient. Research has shown that the early detection of small breast cancers by screening mammography greatly improves a woman's chances for successful treatment. For example, if breast cancer is caught and treated while it is still confined to the breast ducts (a type called ductal carcinoma in situ; DCIS), the cure rate is close to 100%.

Diagnostic mammography

Diagnostic mammography is an x-ray exam of the breasts that is performed in order to evaluate a breast complaint or abnormality detected by physical exam or routine screening mammography. Diagnostic mammography is different from screening mammography in that additional views of the breast are usually taken, as opposed to two views typically taken with screening mammography. Thus, diagnostic mammography is usually more time-consuming and costly than screening mammography.

The goal of diagnostic mammography is to pinpoint the exact size and location of breast abnormality and to image the surrounding tissue and lymph nodes. In many cases, diagnostic mammography will help show that the abnormality is highly likely to be benign (non-cancerous). When this occurs, the radiologist may recommend that the woman return at a later date for a follow-up mammogram, typically in six months. However, if an abnormality seen with diagnostic mammography is suspicious, additional breast imaging (with exams such as ultrasound) or a biopsy may be ordered. Biopsy is the only definitive way to determine whether a woman has breast cancer.