Did you know that when detected early, the chance for successful treatment of breast cancer is nearly 100 percent? Mammograms play a central role in the early detection of breast cancer because they can detect breast changes that may signal cancer, but are too small or subtle to be detected otherwise. To ensure we have the latest in detection technology, PAMF Santa Cruz has opened the first digital mammography facility in Santa Cruz County.

The recently renovated office on the first floor of PAMF’s clinic at 2025 Soquel Avenue offers full-field digital mammography, private consultation rooms, and early morning and Saturday appointments.

“We want to ensure that we have the latest technology to help women in the fight against breast cancer,” Margaret Hansen, M.D., medical director of radiology at PAMF Santa Cruz, says. “Digital mammography is more convenient for the patient and uses less radiation—and studies show that it is better at detecting cancer in younger women and in women with dense breast tissue.”

Unlike film-based mammography, digital mammograms produce images that appear on the technologist’s monitor in a matter of seconds. There is no waiting for film to develop, which means patients spend less time in the breast imaging suite. With the digital, high-resolution images, patients also receive results much more quickly. Another convenience of digital mammography over film-based systems is it can greatly reduce the need for retakes due to over- or underexposure. This saves additional time and reduces patient exposure to X-rays. Digital images can also be easily stored, transmitted and copied without any loss of information, eliminating dependence on only one set of “original” films.

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