Abstract
We present a new approach for a digital mammography database system conveyed by DVD for breast cancer screening at Takasaki city. Eleven medical facilities involved in the screening mammography program had already installed digital X-ray mammography systems instead of film methods. The host processor is adjusted to process various DICOM data, and the data are downloaded to DVD at each medical facility. The DVDs are then conveyed and data are preserved on the PACS server of Takasaki Community Medical Center. Digital mammogram reading is performed by the physician with a 5-MP high-resolution image monitor at Takasaki Community Medical Center. A CAD (computer-aided detection) system can be used for reading most of the mammogram data. Furthermore, unification of the identification numbers of mammograms at each medical facility with the health-check card number published by Takasaki city enables retrospective access to old mammograms when individuals visit another medical facility within a 5-year period. Thus, the new system saves time, labor and cost at all of the medical facilities involved.
