FFDM

FFDM stands for Full Field Digital Mammography. It is a mammography system that captures images of the breast digitally, as opposed to traditional film-based mammography. In FFDM, the X-ray image is converted into a digital signal and stored on a computer. This digital format allows for enhanced image manipulation, such as zooming, adjusting brightness and contrast, and filtering, which can aid in the detection of subtle abnormalities.

One of the primary benefits of FFDM is the potential for improved cancer detection rates, particularly in women with dense breast tissue. The digital images can be displayed on high-resolution monitors, and radiologists can review them in a workstation environment. This technology also facilitates the immediate sharing of images between healthcare providers and allows for easier storage and retrieval compared to physical film.

While FFDM has largely replaced film-screen mammography in many parts of the world, both technologies aim to screen for and diagnose breast cancer. The process of taking an FFDM image is similar to conventional mammography, involving the compression of breast tissue between two plates to spread it out and reduce radiation exposure. The resulting digital images are then analyzed by a radiologist.