Dr. Sunjay Verma, M.D., Chief Radiologist at Nathan Littauer Hospital, wants women to know that not all mammograms are created equal. Not only should women schedule a mammogram regularly, they should also ask the right questions of their provider when they do so.
Verma encourages women to be informed about the technological advancements medicine has made in detecting anomalies on a mammogram, which can signal breast cancer. After reading over 10,000 mammograms in his career, Verma has found that technology has greatly improved the mammography experience. However, women have to ask for it.
To help, Verma has created a quick guide for women to use when scheduling a mammogram. “Scheduling a mammogram is an emotionally charged time,” Verma explained. “And patients may not consider the technology available at a local imaging facility when they pick up the phone. I hope this checklist begins a dialogue between the patient and health care facility. My aim is to reduce the stress of a mammography. Asking for key technologies can greatly enhance the detection of a problem.”
Go digital
According to Verma, only 10-15 percent of all hospitals have digital imaging. Digital mammographies offer higher resolution to the radiologist with a greater detection of pathology. It also is extremely versatile, with the ability to save images to a disk for easy transport. It is such a superior method of reviewing images, Verma recommends asking for it.
Spell check for X-rays
Often referred to as “a radiologist’s second set of eyes,” or a “computer’s second opinion” or “spell check for a mammogram,” Computer Aided Detection is a new buzz word in women’s health care. Verma recommends that women ask for a second set of eyes to review their mammogram.
Computer Aided Detection (CAD) is just that, a computer scan that can bring attention to a problem area. He notes that as a practice at Littauer, two trained physicians review a suspect mammogram in addition to the CAD system. In all, that is three reviews of one image - remarkable since most insurance will only pay for one mammogram.
According to Verma, “The best and most sensitive way of detecting cancer by mammography is to take advantage of computer and digital equipment and in that vein, to have Computer Aided Detection.”
It works like this: when a mammogram is completed, the images are downloaded to a screen for review. In a darkened room, radiologists study the images. In addition to the naked eye, the CAD system will flag suspicious areas on X-rays by circling areas and zooming to the area in question. The problem area is then reviewed by a radiologist.
Play it again Sam, and again, and again.
“Mammograms are useful but the tests aren’t perfect,” said Verma. “I am grateful for the redundancy we have built into our system. In some areas of the U.S., X-rays are read by one single radiologist and cancers can be missed.”
Verma has released the following mammography checklist. While not comprehensive, it is a list of questions meant to spur dialogue between women and their doctors when they are scheduling a mammogram.
TEN QUESTIONS TO ASK
1. Is the facility a digital facility?
2. Will my image be a digital image?
3. Do they use a soft pad? (A tool used to improve your comfort during the test.)
4. Is the facility accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR)?
5. Do their technologists meet American College of Radiology (ACR) standards?
6. Do they have Computer Aided Detection?
7. Who reads my mammogram?
8. How many medical professionals will be reviewing the results?
9. How quickly will the results be sent back to my doctor?
10. How will I be informed of my results?
