Diagnostic Mammography

If there is an abnormality on screening mammogram, the patient is called back for diagnostic mammography; the call back rate from screening is about 10-15%.

If a patient has any symptom suggestive of breast cancer, they should have a diagnostic mammogram instead of a screening mammogram.

Diagnostic mammography is the problem-solver of breast imaging. Unlike screening mammography, diagnostic mammography uses problem-based views (often multiple) +/- ultrasound images until the radiologist has enough information to assign a final BIRADS assessment category.

The patient typically receives information about the outcome of the exam BEFORE leaving the department, and knows what will be done next.