What is the Difference Between Screening Mammogram and Diagnostic Mammogram

The key difference between screening mammogram and diagnostic mammogram is that a screening mammogram is a simple x-ray taken without any signs or symptoms of breast cancer, while diagnostic mammogram is a more detailed x-ray done based on signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

A mammogram is an x-ray image of the breast. It is usually done to detect breast cancer with or without symptoms and signs of cancer. The usual procedure of a mammogram is to place the breast on a plastic plate and press another plate firmly to the breast from above. This flattens the breast while the x-ray is taken. These tests are carried out by a specialized doctor called a radiologist. Screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms are procedures similar to an x-ray, but with a few differences.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Screening Mammogram  
3. What is a Diagnostic Mammogram
4. Similarities – Screening Mammogram and Diagnostic Mammogram
5. Screening Mammogram vs Diagnostic Mammogram in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Screening Mammogram vs Diagnostic Mammogram

What is a Screening Mammogram?

A screening mammogram is a specific type of breast imaging to detect early stages of cancer using a low dose of x-ray method. Screening mammogram usually takes place without the detection of a breast lump or any other sign or symptom in the breast-related to cancer. It is involved in taking two or more x-ray images of each breast. These images make it possible to detect tumor cells that cannot be seen or felt.

Figure 01: Screening Mammogram

Screening mammograms also have the ability to detect microcalcifications, which are tiny deposits of calcium that sometimes indicate breast cancer. However, there are few risk factors of screening. It gives false-positive results on some occasions. This leads to more tests, which are expensive as well as invasive and time-consuming. The patient may also go through stress, depression, and anxiety. It may also give false-negative results, which would delay the detection of some cancers. Some screening tests also lead to overdiagnosis. Such incidents cause the doctor to provide overtreatment. Such overtreatments include immediate surgery and radiation therapy. This may lead to unwanted side effects. A few minor risk factors of screening are pain during procedures and exposure to radiation.

What is a Diagnostic Mammogram?

A diagnostic mammogram is a type of breast imaging with the use of a high dose of x-ray imaging to detect breast cancer. Diagnostic mammograms usually take place after a lump or any other sign or symptom relating to breast cancer. Other signs of breast cancers include pain in the breast, thickening breast skin, nipple discharge, or change in breast size. These mammograms are useful to evaluate changes found during screening mammograms or to view breast tissues in special circumstances such as breast implants. X-ray images taken during diagnostic mammograms take a longer time and provide multiple views of the breast from different angles. This test zooms in specific areas of the breast where it is suspicious and gives an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnostic mammograms also show ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) apart from tumors. In addition to advantages in diagnostic mammograms, several risk factors are also present. False-positive results are seen in younger women on some occasions. Some cancers may not be life-threatening; however, over diagnosis scenarios lead to overtreatment, and this may result in additional problems. Exposure to radiation is a major risk factor when the breasts are exposed to regular mammograms.

What are the Similarities Between Screening Mammogram and Diagnostic Mammogram?

• Screening mammogram and diagnostic mammogram detect breast cancer.
• Both tests are carried out on women.
• Common risk factors include false-positive results, overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and exposure to radiation.
• The procedures are similar in both techniques.

What is the Difference Between Screening Mammogram and Diagnostic Mammogram?

A screening mammogram is a simple x-ray taken without any signs or symptoms of breast cancer, while diagnostic mammogram is a more detailed x-ray done based on signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Thus, this is the key difference between screening mammogram and diagnostic mammogram. Screening mammograms are done regularly as a preventive measure, while diagnostic mammogram is a special type of mammogram done based on signs and symptoms of breast cancer. So, this is another difference between screening mammogram and diagnostic mammogram. Screening mammograms contain simple x-ray images and only take about 10 to 20 minutes for the procedure. Diagnostic mammogram takes a longer time for the procedure.

The below infographic presents the differences between screening mammogram and diagnostic mammogram in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Screening Mammogram vs Diagnostic Mammogram

A screening mammogram is a simple x-ray taken without any signs or symptoms of breast cancer, while diagnostic mammogram is a more detailed x-ray done based on signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Hence, this is the key difference between screening mammogram and diagnostic mammogram. Screening mammogram detects the early stages of cancer using a low dose of x-ray method without any signs or symptoms of cancer. Diagnostic mammograms use a high dose of x-ray imaging to detect breast cancer and is carried out in special cases in the presence of signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

Reference:

1. “Limitations of Mammograms: How Accurate Are Mammograms?” American Cancer Society.
2. “Mammograms.” National Cancer Institute.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Blausen 0628 Mammogram” By Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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