"I think it was maybe a little quicker, maybe not as uncomfortable as some of them have been," says Wilson.

It was quicker, because the hospital has switched to a digital mammography machine, replacing its old film-based system.

"With digital mammography, the images come up immediately as soon as the exposure is made while the patient is still in the room. The technologist can view the image immediately versus waiting on the film to be developed and the process time of the film, so the digital mammography images come up faster, which cuts the exam time in half for the patient," says Debbie Thorpe, Radiology Director at Davis Memorial Hospital.

Thorpe says radiologists used to use magnifying lenses to examine the film images. Now, with the click of a mouse, radiologists can manipulate the digital image to see more detail. The old system could have required the patient to come back for additional films.

Thorpe says the more clear digital images, which can be magnified and moved around for better detail, could mean earlier detection of breast cancer.

"Early detection of breast cancer is the best protection. The earlier we can find a breast cancer, the better outcome for the patient, the better treatment options and the better outcome for the patient," says Thorpe.

Something Wilson says means a lot to her.

"Well, I have fibrocystic disease in my breast anyway, and my best friend has breast cancer. And anyway, it's just a healthy thing to do. I always have it every year, especially at my age and it's important, as they say, to find it early," says Wilson.

Thorpe says Davis Memorial Hospital is the only hospital in its five county coverage region that has a digital mammography machine.

She says it is important for all women to have mammograms, and says women over 50 should have them annually.