Mammography
Mammography is a specific type of imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray
system and high-contrast, high-resolution film for examination of the
breasts. Most medical experts agree that successful treatment of breast
cancer often is linked to early diagnosis. Mammography plays a central
part in early detection of breast cancers because it can show changes
in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them.
[RadiologyInfo™]
Mammography is the only proven imaging method to reliably detect small
abnormal tissue growths that are confined to the milk ducts in the breast,
called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), where it has been shown
that there is a strong correlation between microcalcification clusters
and malignancy. These early tumours cannot harm patients if they are removed
at this stage.
In the UK, the Department of Health runs a continuous national breast
screening programme, taking mammogram x-rays of women aged 50-64. Details
of the programme can be found here.
Online Resources
The MIAS
MiniMammographic Database consists of the original MIAS Database (digitised
at 50 micron pixel edge) that has been reduced to 200 micron pixel edge
and clipped or padded so that every image is 1024 pixels square. There
are 322 images in the database, representing 161 bilateral mammogram pairs
with a range of abnormalities both malignant and benign, as well as normal
images.
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