Doctors agree that early detection is the best defense against breast cancer. Successful treatment and survival rates for breast cancer patients are dramatically affected by early detection of breast cancers. Annual screenings starting at age 40 are very important. If breast cancer is found early, before it has spread to lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is almost 100 percent.
3D mammography (breast tomosynthesis) has made a breakthrough in the early detection of breast cancer. “3D mammography clearly finds more invasive cancers, which are the more harmful cancers,” shares Jessica Guingrich, MD, medical director for OSF Saint Francis Centers for Breast Health and breast imager with Central Illinois Radiological Associates. “And we are finding it to be effective in all tissue density types and in women of all ages.”
Take a few minutes to better understand what you should know about the 3D mammogram and consider it for your next screening mammogram.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a 3D mammography breast exam?
Three-dimensional mammography is a screening and diagnostic tool designed for early breast cancer detection. During the 3D part of the exam, the X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over your breast, taking multiple breast images instead of one straight-down picture. 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 tissue like pages of a book. In this way, 3D mammography may find cancers missed with conventional 2D mammography.
How does breast density or other risk factors play a part?
Breasts with a large proportion of fibrous and glandular tissue on a mammogram are classified as “dense.” Regardless of size or shape, dense breasts have a substantially higher risk of developing breast cancer than women whose breast tissues are classified on a mammogram as “fatty.” A women’s breast density can change throughout life due to age, hormone levels, and menopause. Dense breasts make it more difficult for doctors to spot cancer on mammograms. Both cancer and dense breast tissue appear white on the images. The 3D images give radiologists a clearer view of this dense tissue. You can find out your breast density from your most recent mammogram by asking your physician to check your radiology report.
What are the benefits?
The additional 3D images make it possible for a radiologist to gain a better understanding of your breast tissue during a screening or diagnostic mammogram, and it has reduced the need to call patients back for follow-up imaging. False positives have been reduced by up to 40 percent.
The benefits are not limited to, but may be greater for women with these key factors: having their first mammogram; have a history of being called back for more specialized images after a screening mammogram; have a concern about breast cancer risk factors; and, women with dense breast tissue.
What should I expect during the 3D mammography exam?
Three-dimensional 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 seconds longer for each view.
Is there more radiation dose?
Adding 3D views increases the amount of radiation but is still well within the FDA regulated limit for mammography. If you have concerns about radiation exposure, please talk with your mammography technologist, radiologist, or provider who can give you additional information.
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.
Three-dimensional mammography is available at all of the OSF Centers for Breast Health locations in Peoria, Washington, and Morton. If you have questions or would like to schedule your 3D mammogram, call 309-683-5522. Visit us at www.osfsaintfrancis.org.
Photo courtesy of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center