More than a decade has passed since the advent of the first digital mammograms, time enough for more than 70% of US mammographers to adopt this technology. Practitioners maintain that digital imaging makes it easier to see signs of cancer earlier. Even so, approximately 10% of women who are screened with full-field digital mammography are recalled for more tests, according to practitioner reports.
A new device, recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), may improve cancer detection while reducing the number of patient recalls. Hologic® tomosynthesis imaging is like no other breast-imaging platform on the market. It takes 15 successive images, each at a slightly different angle along an arc across the breast. The concept is simple: What is hidden behind fibroglandular tissue in one image might be visible in another if the angle is slightly different.
What is Breast Tomosynthesis?
Breast tomosynthesis is a breakthrough in mammography that provides a clearer, more accurate view compared to digital mammography alone.
Research on breast tomosynthesis in large populations consistently shows:
…..improved breast cancer detection rates, especially invasive cancers
…..a decrease in call backs, which may lessen anxiety for patients
A New Dimension in Breast Cancer Detection
Conventional digital mammography produces one image of overlapping tissue, making it difficult to detect cancers. Performed with digital mammography using the same scanner, breast tomosynthesis takes multiple images of the entire breast. It allows our specialized breast radiologists to see through layers of tissue and examine areas of concern from all angles. Benefits can include:
• Earlier detection of small breast cancers that may be hidden during digital mammography
• Greater accuracy in pinpointing size, shape and location of abnormalities
• Fewer unnecessary biopsies or additional tests
• Greater likelihood of detecting multiple breast tumors, which occur in 15% of breast cancer patients
• Clearer images of dense breast tissue
Multiple studies have reported that the 3d mammography exam from the Hologic® system significantly increases breast cancer detection, with a more than 40% increase in the detection of invasive cancers.
At imaging centers across America, breast tomosynthesis plus digital mammography is becoming standard protocol for all screening mammograms. Advanced Imaging is proud to offer this safe and effective screening for women in our community.
Breast Cancer Screening by Specialists with an Emphasis on Safety
The Center for Women at Mass Advanced Imaging includes a team of specialized breast radiologists who are experts in detecting breast lesions through the use of computer-aided detection, mammography, and MRI.
Ensuring patient safety is our top priority. We pay special attention to minimizing radiation exposure while producing the highest quality image to answer the clinical question. As part of this commitment, we invest in the latest equipment to ensure that our fleet of scanners consistently delivers the lowest dose of radiation possible during an exam.
Breast cancer will affect an average of one in seven women sometime in their lifetime. It is the second most common cause of cancer related deaths in women, second only to lung cancer. Numerous studies prove that early detection is a vital component in the successful treatment of breast cancer.
For more information on the Hologic® 3D tomosynthesis mammography services available at Advanced Imaging, call 941-235-4646today.