By Geri K. Metzger, Staff Writer, myOptumHealth
Provided by 
The next time you have a mammogram, you may have it done digitally. Digital mammograms may improve the ability to find breast cancer in women younger than 50 and women with dense breasts. But digital costs more than traditional mammography, so experts are looking at whether digital mammography improves long-term outcomes of breast cancer survival.
Traditional mammography: Pros and cons
Traditional film mammography has a long, successful track record. But it does have its limitations. For one thing, it is less sensitive in detecting breast cancers in women with dense breast tissue. Standard films can't be manipulated, enlarged or highlighted like digital images can. Standard mammograms also use more radiation than the digital type. Still, traditional mammograms are the gold standard, and doctors have many years of experience reading them.
Related link: Screening Tests That Help Keep Women Healthy
Digital mammography: Who benefits
Digital mammography offers instant pictures of breast tissue viewable on a computer screen. Doctors can highlight or enlarge the image to help read it. They can also send digital images electronically to other doctors involved in your care.
Although digital mammography often provides sharper pictures, it has not yet been shown to find more cancers than film mammography in all women. Digital mammography seems to be better than traditional at detecting breast cancers in women who:
- Are younger than 50
- Have dense breasts
- Are pre- or perimenopausal
Related link: Breast Cancer: Dispelling the Myths
Women older than 50 who don't have dense breasts and are menopausal don't seem to benefit from digital mammograms over the traditional type.
Does it feel different?
No, the process for both film and digital mammograms is the same. Each breast is pressed between plates for the image to be taken.
Related link: Raise Your Breast Cancer Awareness
