While the procedure is the same as traditional mammography, the images produced are much clearer, and can be viewed on a high-resolution computer monitor that enhances visualization of the structures within the breast tissue.
New computer-aided detection (CAD) technology works like a second pair of eyes, reviewing a patient’s mammogram after the radiologist has already made an initial interpretation. If the computer software detects any breast abnormalities, it marks them so the radiologist can again review those areas to determine whether the marked areas are suspicious and require further examination. However, the radiologist still makes the final interpretation of the mammogram.Early detection can increase the survival rate of breast cancer by as much as 97%. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women. Statistics show that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her life.