What levels of radiation are used for digital mammography vs. film mammography?
In DMIST, digital mammograms required approximately three quarters the radiation dose of film mammography. However, the dose in film mammography is quite low and poses no significant danger to patients. • How many women are screened with mammography annually in the United States? The FDA reports that there are about 33.5 million mammography procedures performed per year in the United States. Data from 2000-2002 show that about 70 percent of all mammograms that are performed annually are for screening purposes (to detect cancer as opposed to following cancer once it has been diagnosed). This translates to about 23.5 million screening procedures every year. • What are the costs of different types of mammograms? Reimbursement by Medicare in 2005 for film-screen mammograms is $85.65 and for digital screening mammography (for women with two breasts, as opposed to those who have undergone mastectomy) is $135.29. Actual cost for mammograms will vary by region and the form of reimbursement. •
