As photography has gone digital – creating clear, sharp images without using film – so has the latest tool in the early detection of breast cancer. Pottstown Memorial Medical Center now has a new digital mammography system that advances the fight against this pervasive disease, which American Cancer Society statistics estimate will strike one in eight women at some point in their life.

The new system provides physicians with clear and precise all-digital images, rather than on X-ray film. In addition, digital mammography offers the largest field of view currently available, which helps capture images of patients with diverse shapes and sizes.

“Digital mammography has in many ways revolutionized breast imaging, allowing the radiologist to more effectively diagnose cancer and help guide treatment,” explains Brian A. Solomon, MD, Chairman, Department of Radiology.

Among other advantages, a digital mammogram takes about half the time as X-ray film. The images offer a better view of the breast, especially near the skin line, chest wall and in women with diverse breast tissue types. They’re ready within seconds, so patients no longer have to wait for film to be developed to be sure the images are usable. If another opinion is needed, images can be e-mailed to another physician almost instantly.

Paula Lenane, MSM, RT, CNMT, Director of Imaging Services touts the digital mammography services as one of a number of new screenings and diagnostic tests available at PMMC.

“The hospital has invested over $1 million in new mammography and bone density imaging devices in 2008,” says Ms. Lenane.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 610-327-7500.