3D Mammography (Tomosynthesis)
Why 3D Mammography?
These benefits are the cornerstone of our in-office, 3D mammography center - allowing every patient the ability to have their mammogram performed at the same time and location as your annual exam.
Convenience
Our in-office 3D mammography service allows you to have your annual screening mammogram as part of your annual Well Woman exam or during any appointment. This allows the convenience of one location, with results that go directly to your doctor.
Privacy and Comfort
Our mammography suite offers comfort, discretion, and modesty. We work with one patient at a time. There is no sitting in a crowded waiting room while partially disrobed or the need walk in common/public areas. Our charging rooms are spacious, clean and just steps away from our state-of-the-art equipment.
Continuity of Care
Your mammography is monitored by your doctor – in the same location your medical records, reports, and images are maintained and managed. If any follow-up work is required from a screening mammogram, our physicians are informed and monitor your progress through any additional steps that are required.
Board-Certified Radiologists
(Breast Care Specialists)
We work with only the most highly credentialed breast care specialists who interpret all of the mammograms performed in our suite. They meet our exacting standards in terms of education and experience in breast health imaging and interpretation. Exam results are most often available to your physician within 48 hours.
Reliability
Our mammography suite offers the very best 3D mammography equipment and peripherals available in the market today. It is manufactured by one of the few global leaders in women’s health technology and has an exceptional and consistent record of performance and clarity.
Did you know...
Major healthcare organizations like the American Cancer Society, American College of Radiology, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure advise that every woman over age 40 (or earlier with family history of breast cancer) have an annual screening mammogram.
A screening 3D mammogram greatly increases chances of detecting most anomalies at their earliest stage. That’s why our practice subscribes to these recommendations and offers in-office 3D Mammography to all of our patients.
The chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer increases with age - 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
Most experts in women's health agree with having a mammogram at 40+ years of age. That is still the gold standard for breast health.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a 3D mammography breast exam?
3D mammography is a revolutionary new screening and diagnostic tool designed for early breast cancer detection that can be done in conjunction with a traditional 2D digital mammogram.
During the 3D part of the exam, the X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over your breast, taking multiple breast images. Then, a computer produces a 3D image of your breast tissue in on millimeter slices, providing greater visibility for the radiologist to see breast detail in a way never before possible. They can scroll through images of your entire breast like pages of a book.
The additional 3D images make it possible for a radiologist to gain a better understanding of your breast tissue during screening and the confidence to reduce the need for follow-up imaging.
What is the difference between a screening and diagnostic mammogram?
A screening mammogram is your annual mammogram that is done every year. Sometimes the radiologist may ask you to come back for follow-up images which is called a diagnostic mammogram to rule out an unclear area in the breast or if there is a breast complaint that needs to be evaluated.
Who can have a 3D mammography exam?
It is approved for all women who would be undergoing a standard mammogram, in both the screening and diagnostic settings.
Why is there a need for tomosynthesis breast exams? What are the benefits?
With conventional digital mammography, the radiologist is viewing all the complexities of your breast tissue in a one flat image. Sometimes breast tissue can overlap, giving the illusion of normal breast tissue looking like an abnormal area.
By looking at the breast tissue in one millimeter slices, the radiologist can provide a more confident assessment. In this way, 3D mammography finds cancers missed with conventional 2D mammography. It also means there is less chance your doctor will call you back later for a "second look," because now they can see breast tissue more clearly.
What should I expect during the 3D mammography exam?
3D mammography complements standard 2D mammography and is performed at the same time with the same system. There is no additional compression required, and it only takes a few more seconds longer for each view.
Is there more radiation dose?
Very low X-ray energy is used during the exam, just about the same amount as a traditional mammogram done on film.
