3D mammography

3D mammography
3-D mammography is the latest technology that uses a large number of projections from multiple angles of each breast, thus giving doctors a clearer picture of what is happening within the breast itself. The breast is positioned in the same way as in conventional mammography, but significantly less pressure is applied. Another name for this examination is tomosynthesis.

2D vs 3D mammography
A conventional mammogram creates a two-dimensional image of the breast from two X-ray images of each breast. Studies have shown that with 3-D mammography, doctors detect more cancers than with traditional 2-D mammography and also reduce the number of false-positive findings. A false-positive finding is a term used when a mammographic image shows an abnormal area that looks like cancer, but it turns out that the tissue is normal. A suspicious area usually requires follow-up, additional tests, and further procedures, including a possible biopsy. There are psychological, physical, and economic costs associated with false-positive findings, and with tomosynthesis or 3D mammography we significantly reduce them.

Who should have 3-D mammography and why?
Every woman who goes for regular breast examinations should also consider 3-D mammography. Tomosynthesis is especially useful in women with dense breast tissue because this examination provides a clearer image of the breast itself than classic mammography.

What are the risks associated with 3-D mammography?
3-D mammography uses the same amount of radiation as a traditional mammogram.

What can women expect?
The procedure does not differ much from classic mammography. A specially qualified radiologic technologist will position your breast in the mammography unit, i.e. the imaging area. Your breast will be placed on a special platform and compressed with a plastic paddle so that the breast tissue is properly spread out and so that there is no overlap of structures within the breast. The technologist will gradually compress your breast and then take the images.

Remember that less compression enables better image quality.

More about preparation for a breast examination?