Frequently asked questions about mammography.
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 one 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.
With conventional digital mammography, the radiologist is viewing all the complexities of your breast tissue in 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.
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.
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.
about the same amount as a traditional mammogram done on film.
It is approved for all women who would be undergoing a standard mammogram, in both the screening and diagnostic settings.
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.
Because some breast cancers blend into breast tissue and cannot be seen in a screening mammogram, Lakeside Women's Imaging uses CAD (Computer Aided Detection), for every mammogram we perform. Our CAD system assists the radiologists in investigating your films to find minute breast tissue irregularities. This highly sensitive software dramatically increases our physicians' ability to identify subtle abnormalities and more importantly, potential breast cancers in earlier stages.
CAD acts like a "Spell-Checker" for medical images and assists radiologists by high-lighting areas that warrant a second review. This system is the first FDA approved computer-aided detection system for screening and diagnostic mammograms.
The simple, routine exam usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. Each breast is gently compressed during the examination and a low dosage x-ray film is obtained for the radiologist to evaluate. Although the compression may be slightly uncomfortable for a very short period of time, good compression is essential for the radiologist to see all the tissue inside each breast.
The radiologist needs to be able to examine all breast tissue, including the tissue along the chest wall and underneath the armpit. After carefully positioning your breast on the mammography machine, the technologist will compress your breast for about five seconds to obtain the x-ray image. You can anticipate having at least two views per breast. You may be called back for additional views, but is should be noted that these studies usually confirm normal tissue.
With the development of new technology, CAD (Computer Aided Detection), we are able to improve diagnostic evaluation for our patients We will provide test result in a prompt and timely fashion.
Charles Groves, M.D., is medical director of the INTEGRIS Comprehensive Breast Center of Oklahoma. He graduated from medical school at the University of Oklahoma and completed his residency at Scott and White Hospital, Texas A&M, and a breast fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.
