When it comes to the health of your breasts, don’t settle for less than the latest in diagnostic technology for your mammogram. CommonSpirit Health offers 3D digital mammography — the most effective tool available in diagnosing breast cancer at an early stage, before tumors are large enough to be felt or cause any symptoms. With 3D mammography, you gain the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re receiving the most detailed images possible, which means fewer false-positive readings and callbacks for additional images and greater accuracy in locating an abnormality in the breast.
Find 3D Mammography Services Near You
CommonSpirit Health offers 3D mammography, the most effective tool available in diagnosing breast cancer, in a stress-free and comfortable setting.
Why choose 3-D mammography?
We understand that no woman looks forward to having a mammogram. At CommonSpirit Health, we go out of our way to make your mammogram as relaxed and stress-free as possible. Our 3-D mammography not only provides exceptionally sharp breast images, but also an advanced ergonomic design to offer you a more comfortable experience than traditional mammograms.
What’s more, CommonSpirit breast centers are accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and the American College of Radiology, which means you can rest assured you’re in a breast facility that meets high standards for imaging quality and safety. Our kind and caring staff will be with you every step of the way, from your initial visit to any follow-up appointments you may need. In the meantime, below are some frequently asked questions about 3-D mammography.
3-D breast mammography, also known as breast tomosynthesis, gives radiologists the ability to identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue. This is because the 3-D images allow radiologists to look through the breast instead of viewing it as a flat image. Tomosynthesis picks up smaller masses than traditional 2-D scanning, with less overlap of tissue that can obscure suspicious spots.
During a 3-D breast exam, multiple, low-dose images of the breast are taken at different angles. These images are then used to produce a series of 1-millimeter slices that can be viewed as a 3-D reconstruction of the breast. 3-D mammography can be especially important for women who have dense breast tissue [Home > Care & Health > Mammography > Breast Density], as this type of tissue can make it harder to detect an abnormality. Women with dense breasts are four to six times more likely to develop breast cancer than women with low breast density.
A 3-D mammogram is done in conjunction with a standard 2-D mammogram. The 3-D screening is done at the same time with the same system. It only takes a few seconds longer for each view, and no additional compression is required.
Very low X-ray energy is used during the exam — about the same amount as a traditional mammogram and well below regulated limits.
A screening mammogram is your annual mammogram performed every year. If your screening comes back with any unclear areas, your radiologist may ask you to come back for follow-up images, known as a diagnostic mammogram. Additional imaging is used to rule out any unclear areas found on the screening. Diagnostic exams are also performed whenever an issue is identified in the breast by you or your doctor. A diagnostic mammogram requires a written order from your doctor.
3-D mammography is approved for all women who would be undergoing a standard mammogram (screening or diagnostic). Talk to your doctor about your mammogram screening schedule.
