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3D Mammography

3D Mammography Saves Lives

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. To treat it, you must find it. If you find it early, you have a greater chance of an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.

Your very best defense is early detection and diagnosis, made possible through an annual screening mammogram. We commit ourselves every day to matching our compassionate care for women with state-of-the-art mammogram technology. That is why we now offer 3D breast tomosynthesis. It’s new mammogram technology that gives every woman her best chance for an early and accurate diagnosis.

The Women’s Imaging Center offers our patients the latest in digital mammography as part of our comprehensive range of breast screening and imaging services. We are an American College of Radiology mammography accredited facility, demonstrating the highest quality patient care.

3D Is The Game Changer in Mammography

Traditional mammograms suffer from decreasing sensitivity in women with dense breasts or when breast tissue overlaps. The result can be unclear images.

  • Up to 30% of cancers go undetected by standard mammography.
  • 52-76% of cancers are missed in dense breast tissue, where tumors are more difficult to identify. That changes with wide-angle 3D breast tomosynthesis.

At Imaging Specialists, our comprehensive imaging center is the uncontested leader in technology. We have invested in 3D Mammography (Breast Tomosynthesis) because we believe it offers us a better view of breast tissue than 2D mammography alone.

2D Digital Mammography and 3D Tomosynthesis

How it works

The 3D mammogram is just like the 2D experience. The breast is compressed under a paddle as images are taken of the breast. Unlike 2D mammography, 3D Breast Tomosynthesis takes X-ray pictures of each breast from many angles that are not available in traditional mammography.

The tube moves in a 50-degree arc around the breast, taking 25 images during the exam. Those images are sent to a computer and assembled into a three-dimensional picture of the breast. Digital mammography technology coupled with 3D technology allows our physicians to more accurately diagnose disease. It allows for faster exam times and more comfortable patient positioning during a mammogram.

The result is a clearer image that helps us look inside the breast layer by layer to find tumors. More importantly, 3D mammography saves lives because it leaves breast cancer with no place to hide.

Computer Aided Detection (CAD) is also utilized as an adjunct to help radiologists detect subtle cancers.

On the day of your mammogram:

  • Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the exam. These substances may interfere with the mammogram.
  • Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the exam.
  • Remove any jewelry that might interfere with the X-ray picture.
  • You will need to remove your clothes above the waist, and you will be given a dressing gown.

Results are rapid.

Subspecialty trained radiologists are onsite to ensure a skilled read and a personalized experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

The preparation for 3D is the same as 2D Mammography. How should I prepare for a mammogram? We recommend that you do not schedule your mammogram for the week before your period if your breasts are usually tender during this time. The best time for a mammogram is one week following your period. Always inform your doctor or x-ray technologist if there is any possibility that you are pregnant. Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder of lotion under your arms or on your breast the day of your exam. They can appear as calcium spots on a mammogram. Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the exam.
The result is less need for recalls, fewer false-positives, fewer invasive testing procedures, and potentially earlier detection and treatment for breast cancer. Now the radiologist can see breast tissue detail in a way that was never before possible, in sharper, dime-thin images from numerous angles. Breast tomosynthesis is used in conjunction with traditional digital mammography as part of your annual screening mammogram to capture more breast images. Very low X-ray energy is used during the screening examination so your radiation exposure is safely below the American College of Radiology (ACR) guidelines.
Imaging Specialists was the first facility in the Mt. Pleasant area to offer breast tomosynthesis. Accredited in July of 2015, we are proud to offer 3D Mammography to our patients in our Women’s Imaging suite.
Insurance coverage may vary. Please call your insurance carrier to determine their coverage. Self-pay rates are available and can be paid upon check in at the exam. As is our policy, self-pay rates are very affordable.
Almost all patients who need a screening or diagnostic mammogram can have 3D tomosynthesis mammography. For women with dense breast tissue, or who had prior biopsy or surgery, 3D mammography can help with the examination of the breast. Exceptions may include women who are very large-breasted or pregnant.
Obtain a mammogram prescription from your healthcare provider. As with any mammogram exam, it is important to have a breast physical exam and to discuss any new breast findings or problems with your healthcare provider. Also, it is important to inform the physician of your own breast history, including previous biopsies, surgeries and/or hormone use, as well as any family or personal history of breast or ovarian cancer.
The equipment appears identical to a standard digital mammogram except that the tube head arcs over the breast during a 4-second exposure. The breast is compressed similar to or with slightly less pressure than a standard 2-D mammogram. Our certified technologists have special training with this new equipment and strive to help make the exam as comfortable as possible. During the exam, the patients are instructed to hold their breath for just a few seconds.
After your 3D breast tomosynthesis mammogram is obtained, a specially trained breast imaging radiologist physician who is onsite interprets your images. Rapid reports are provided at the time of your appointment. The report is sent to your healthcare provider as well.
Let’s put the risk in everyday terms Standard mammogram = Flying 1,000 miles driving 300 miles biking 10 miles breathing in Boston or New York City air for two days

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