3D Mammography
3D mammography is a type of digital mammography that uses advanced technology to take images of your breast from different angles and combine them to create a more complete and accurate image of your breast than is possible with regular 2D digital mammography.
3D mammography follows the same basic procedure you’re accustomed to with regular 2D digital mammography. 3D lasts just a few seconds longer, slightly extending the time of minor discomfort you may feel and the low-risk radiation exposure involved with all forms of digital mammography. Studies show that combining 3D and standard mammograms reduces the need for additional imaging and slightly increases the number of cancers detected during screening.
3D mammography is particularly effective if you have dense breast tissue or have been given previous cancer or lesion diagnosis. And 3D mammography’s higher accuracy means fewer unnecessary return visits to the doctor for non-cancerous false positives.
What does all of that mean for you?
Greater peace of mind.
Combining a 3D mammogram with a standard mammogram can:
- Reduce the need for follow-up imaging. When doctors detect abnormalities on standard mammogram images, they may recommend additional imaging. Being called back for additional imaging can be stressful. It may take extra time and lead to additional costs. Combining a 3D mammogram with a standard mammogram reduces the need for follow-up imaging.
- Detect slightly more cancers than a standard mammogram alone. Studies indicate that combining a 3D mammogram with a standard mammogram can result in about one more breast cancer for every 1,000 women screened compared to a standard mammogram alone.
- Improve breast cancer detection in dense breast tissue. A 3D mammogram offers advantages in detecting breast cancer in people with dense breast tissue because the 3D image allows doctors to see beyond areas of density.
Breast tissue comprises milk glands, milk ducts, supportive tissue (dense breast tissue), and fatty tissue. Dense breasts have greater amounts of dense breast tissue than fatty tissue. Both dense breast tissue and cancers appear white on a standard mammogram, which may make breast cancer more difficult to detect in dense breasts.