Digital mammograms: what they are

Almost all mammograms today are digital. The difference from older film mammography isn’t in what you experience — it’s in how the image is captured and viewed.^[2]

Film vs digital

A traditional mammogram recorded the image on X-ray film, like a photograph. Full-field digital mammography (FFDM) captures it electronically — much like a digital camera — so it appears on a high-resolution screen.^[1] This brings several practical advantages:

• The radiologist can adjust brightness and contrast and zoom in on an area, which can make a clearer read.
• Images are easy to store and share, and quick to compare with your previous mammograms to spot change.
• The efficiency of digital capture can allow better pictures at a lower dose.^[1]
• Digital capture underpins newer techniques like 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) and computer-aided detection.

What it means for you

For you, a digital mammogram is exactly the same experience as any mammogram — the breast is positioned and briefly compressed, and images are taken in moments. The “digital” part happens behind the scenes.

Frequently asked questions

Is a digital mammogram different to have?

No — the experience is the same. The difference is that the image is captured electronically and viewed on a screen, rather than on film.^[2]

Does digital mean less radiation?

The dose for a mammogram is low either way, and digital can allow a slightly lower dose. Its main advantages are in image handling — adjusting, zooming, storing and comparing — and enabling newer techniques like 3D mammography.^[1]