Who’s Interpreting Your Mammogram?

You know you need to schedule a yearly mammogram beginning at age 40* for early detection of breast cancer. But that’s only the beginning. It’s also important to consider the skill of the radiologist who reads your mammogram.

Your radiologist should have the experience and eye to recognize subtle signs, says oncologist Gregory Harper, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “The most serious changes can be the most difficult to find,” says Kenneth Harris, M.D., a breast radiologist at the hospital. “We look for masses, distortions, irregular patterns and pin-sized calcifications, comparing current and previous studies to find even the smallest changes early.”

To ensure you’re getting an expert reader, ask these questions when scheduling your mammogram:

Is the radiologist certified by the American College of Radiology and the U.S. government’s Mammography Quality Standards Act?

Is the radiologist a breast specialist? “Some radiologists evaluate brain scans one day, breast scans the next,” Harris says. “Look for someone who specializes in breast imaging.”

Is the radiologist highly experienced? National standards require radiologists to read at least 470 scans a year. Harper advises looking for a radiologist who evaluates at least 1,000 a year.

Will the radiologist use the latest technology? If your mammography center is equipped with digital mammography, the radiologist can read sharper images and manipulate them more easily. “Digital images also detect changes earlier in the dense tissue of women younger than 50,” Harris says. In mammography centers with computer-aided detection, the radiologist takes advantage of an additional computer-aided reading to ensure all areas of concern have been identified and addressed.

Is there a team of breast health specialists? Radiologists benefit from collaborating with other radiologists, breast oncologists, surgeons, genetic counselors and nurse specialists to ensure you’ll get the best results.

Want to Know More about breast MRI or the risk factors for breast cancer? Call 610-402-CARE.

*You may need earlier mammograms if you’re at high risk for breast cancer; ask your doctor.

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