Doctors recommend mammograms so that women can detect breast cancer early. Now, there is something called a digital mammogram.
"A digital mammogram is imaging of the breast electronically. Think of it as taking a picture of the breast using a digital camera versus a film camera. You can then manipulate the image, store it and send it electronically," said mammographer Athena Lohf.
And that helps doctors and other medical staff in determining future treatment for a patient - no matter where the patient goes. Some are concerned about radiation dosage when it comes to a mammogram.
"Firstly, a mammogram is a very, very low dose exam. And with digital technology it reduces that dosage even further and significantly as well," Lohf said.
Lohf says there are certain candidates who might benefit more than others when it comes to digital mammography - those childless women under fifty for example.
"A woman with very dense type breast tissue can be very well served with digital mammography. A dense type breast tissue is very tightly packed fibro-glandular tissue. And it can be very hard to read on a mammogram," she said.
Still, she says, traditional mammograms can be quite reliable.
"The traditional film screen system still is a very excellent system tool for the ladies, can serve the majority of the population. Film screen systems have very excellent detail imaging," she said.
And if you have any doubt about the medical benefit of having a traditional or digital mammogram...
"Well, a mammogram can pick up the lump, the lesion, two years before the woman can even attempt to feel that lump in her breast. So it's early detection that's the beauty of screening mammogram," Lohf said.
