Every year, hundreds of thousands of women in the United States are told by their medical provider that they have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Every year, breast cancer takes the lives of tens of thousands of women.

When breast cancer is detected early – before it has spread – it is easier to treat. Women have a much better chance to not only survive, but to thrive!

For now, mammography is the BEST WAY to screen women for breast cancer.

What is the basic difference?

Tomosynthesis, a term that is sometimes used for 3D mammography, has been available in in our country for over six years. The Food & Drug Administration determined that a 3D mammogram is superior to conventional 2D mammography for routine breast cancer screening of women with dense breasts.

3D mammography generates images of the breast by taking multiple views across the breast in an arc. 2D mammograms only compress the breast and take images from the front and side.

Computer software then compiles the views into a three-dimensional reconstruction of the breast that can be interpreted by a radiologist. It takes just a few seconds longer than 2D mammograms and the amount of radiation exposure is about the same. Generally, there is no difference in the level of physical discomfort between 2D and 3D mammography.

3D mammography has been a significant breakthrough in radiology. The biggest concern is that conventional 2D mammograms can obscure some cancers due to compressing and overlapping breast tissue. With 3D mammography, digital medical imaging specialists are able to examine breast tissue one layer at a time.

Research has shown that a 3D mammogram is up to 40 percent more sensitive than 2D mammograms, which means it can gives our radiologists and your medical provider a clearer, more accurate picture of breast tissue and abnormalities.

Isn’t better accuracy worth a few more seconds?

3D mammograms can also be especially helpful for women with dense breast tissue as it’s more difficult to identify cancer in dense breasts. On a regular 2D mammogram, cancer and dense tissue appear almost the same, while a 3D mammogram can make better distinctions between the two.

Our Capitol Imaging Services affiliate, Diagnostic Imaging Services, is happy to offer the superiority of 3D mammography at four locations that cover both sides of Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River in southeast Louisiana.

We encourage women to speak with their medical provider right away if they experience any symptoms or want to know if they are at a higher risk for breast cancer. Medical imaging plays an important role in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Should you decide breast cancer screening is right for you, visit Diagnostic Imaging Services.

Diagnostic Imaging Services can be contacted directly by calling 504-883-5999 or 985-641-2390 to schedule an appointment. Or, click the REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT button (above right) to send us an email requesting assistance.

All we need is about 20 minutes.