ABOUT 3D MAMMOGRAPHY BRAND TOMOSYNTHESIS SYSTEM
Download 3D Mammography Brochure
In the fight to conquer breast cancer through early detection, film mammography was a major breakthrough, followed by digital mammography. Now there’s tomosynthesis, also known as 3D mammography exam, the new gold standard in screening and diagnostic breast imaging.
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, tomosynthesis uses highly sensitive x-ray imaging and very low levels of radiation to capture multiple images of the breast, which are sent to a computer to form a 3D composite that allows doctors to spot breast abnormalities and cancer at its earliest stages, before it can be felt or cause symptoms. Unlike standard mammography, tomosynthesis’ superior clarity and vantage points allow our radiologists and your personal physician to look deeper into breast tissue from varying angles, greatly enhancing the ability to spot cancer and differentiate it from normal healthy structures in the breast that may overlap during testing.
More than 100 clinical tests show that 3D mammography exams are 41% more accurate at detecting invasive cancers, and 40% less likely to produce a false positive result, reducing the need for unnecessary follow-up exams and undue anxiety.
Tomosynthesis provides superior analysis in women of all ages and breast tissue densities, as well as fast image acquisition, transfer and electronic storage for easy comparison with previous scans. We utilize this enhanced technology to perform both routine screening mammograms, which are recommended annually for women ages 40 and older, and diagnostic mammograms for women who currently have a symptom such as a palpable lump, pain in the breast, nipple discharge or a previous screening mammogram that requires additional views.
A local forerunner in this technology, RAO offers 3D mammography exams at our Women’s Imaging Center, TimberRidge Imaging Center and TimberRidge Imaging Center Heathbrook Pavilion. To find out if your insurance covers tomosynthesis, call RAO at 352-671-4300.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A 3D mammogram, or tomosynthesis, is obtained with an x-ray unit that moves in an “arc” around the breast taking multiple images that are reconstructed by a computer into a 3D image. The breast must be compressed between two flat surfaces for the pictures to properly show detail of the breast. The compression may be slightly uncomfortable for some; however, it is only for a short period of time (a few seconds) for each picture. More images using mammography or ultrasound may be required if the radiologist sees an area in the breast that is unclear or abnormal-looking.
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