What is a Diagnostic Mammogram?

 If a women is not experiencing any new problem in her breast, an annual SCREENING mammogram is ordered and performed.  If a woman has found a new lump and an order is given for a mammogram, a DIAGNOSTIC mammogram would be ordered and performed.  Any time a new problem in the breast is investigated with mammogram, the study becomes DIAGNOSTIC.  If a women is having her annual screening mammogram and a new problem is found on the mammogram and additional images must be made, the mammogram becomes DIAGNOSTIC.  Because we are a breast specialty practice, most of the mammograms we perform will be diagnostic mammograms.