A new study reveals new digital mammogram techniques are better than standard X-rays at spotting cancer. The American College of Radiology Imaging Network studied 50,000 patients, finding standard film X-ray mammograms work just as well for most post-menopausal women. Digital mammographies, however, detect up to 28-percent more cancers than standard mammograms in younger women.

Constantine Gatsonis, network statistician for ACRIN and one of the study's researchers says, "The data show that digital mammography is, on average, as good at detecting breast cancer as film mammography -- and in some important subgroups of women, digital performs even better. Neither film nor digital mammography is able to catch every cancer. So, this study data can be used to develop and improve mammography in the coming years."

Researchers say standard mammograms cut the risk of dying from breast cancer by up to 35-percent among women ages 50 and older, but only by 15 to 20 percent among younger women.

Digital mammograms, while more expensive, can also store information on a computer and send it electronically when a woman moves or needs another doctor to see them.

The study is published online by the New England Journal of Medicine