A three-dimensional mammogram, or 3D mammogram, is a highly accurate imaging study that is made to adapt to your individual breast size and breast tissue. Plus 3D mammograms take less time than a traditional mammogram. This is great news, as mammograms save women’s lives every year.
Understanding 3D mammograms and your body
A 3D mammogram is a medical imaging technology that has helped a lot of women to get quicker and more accurate mammogram results. Let’s find out more about this imaging study so you can better understand how they are used to diagnose abnormalities affecting your breast tissue.
What technology is used in 3D mammograms to capture detailed breast images?
Three-dimensional mammograms use an imaging technique called Digital Tomosynthesis, to create detailed and layered images of the breast
Digital Breast Tomosynthesis differs from the traditional approach used with two dimensional mammograms. 3D mammograms capture both 2D & 3D images while using fewer X-ray beams. Therefore, the radiation exposure is reduced while the quality of the images is greatly increased.
How does the process of a 3D mammogram work?
In a 3D mammogram, low-dose X-ray images are taken from various angles to create a three-dimensional view of the breast tissue.
This greatly aids in the detection of abnormalities more clearly than traditional two-dimensional (2D) mammograms, reducing scan times and improving breast cancer detection.
How does 3D mammography ensure accurate coverage of different breast sizes and shapes?
A 3D mammogram automatically adapts to different sizes and shapes of different breasts to ensure accurate coverage.
A 3D mammogram is also used to look for breast cancer in people who have no signs or symptoms.
It can also be used to investigate the cause of other breast problems, such as a mass in the breast, pain or nipple discharge.
When used for breast cancer screening, 3D mammogram machines create 3D images and standard 2D mammogram images. Studies show that combining 2D & 3D images reduces the need for additional imaging and slightly increases the number of cancers detected during screening.
The 3D mammogram is becoming more common, but it isn’t available at all women’s imaging centers.
3D mammograms vs. 2D mammograms
Traditional 2D mammograms and 3D mammograms are both highly sophisticated imaging studies, so it is very important for you to know and understand the differences. Let’s see exactly what makes the two studies different.
What are the key differences between 3D and 2D mammograms?
The differences between 3D and 2D mammography are significant.
3D mammograms capture multiple X-ray images from different angles to create a three-dimensional view of the breast tissue. They offer improved visibility of breast structures, reducing overlapping tissue issues present in 2D mammograms.
Comparably, 2D mammography captures but a single flat two-dimensional view of the breast tissue.
While both imaging methods can detect breast abnormalities, 3D mammography may offer better detection accuracy and reduce the need for additional imaging.
How do these differences impact the accuracy of breast cancer detection?
It makes sense that the more information a person has, the more choices they will have to make a better informed decision.
Three-dimensional (3D) mammography offers the healthcare provider more and different views of the breast than a 2D mammogram.
The more information the healthcare provider can have at their fingertips, the better the chances for detecting cancer, and potentially saving someone’s life.
Adapting to your breast density
One of the greatest advantages offered by 3D mammography have been seen in women who have dense breast tissue. Breast density is a proportional measure of the glandular, connective and fatty tissues within a woman’s breasts.
Having dense breasts is not an abnormal condition. About 50% of all women have mostly dense to very dense breast breasts. Women with dense breast tissue are 4 to 6 times more likely to develop breast cancer than women with less dense breasts. This increase in risk can be attributed to more glandular tissue being present, where breast cancer cells are more commonly found.
Your breast density is determined by a number of factors including: genetics, age, family history, and hormonal patterns. In rare cases, weight gain and certain medications can influence breast tissue density. Although your breast density cannot be changed, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider about to learn about breast density and discuss what impact that may have on your breast cancer screening options.
Why does breast-tissue density matter in mammography?
Breast tissue density matters in mammography because dense breasts have more glandular and fibrous tissue, making it more challenging to detect abnormalities such as tumors on the mammogram.
Dense tissue appears white on the images, similar to tumors, which are also white. This overlap can make it harder to identify potential cancers, increasing the risk of false negatives.
Women with dense breasts may need additional screening methods, such as ultrasound or MRI, to improve cancer detection.
How does 3D mammography image different types of breast tissue, including dense breast tissue?
Because 3D mammography captures multiple X-ray images of the breast from different angles, it offers more detailed views of breast tissue, particularly in dense breasts where overlapping structures can make interpretation challenging.
Also, the 3D images provide clearer insights, which help in the detection of abnormalities.
What are the benefits of 3D mammography for individuals with various breast compositions?
Breast compositions consist of tissue composed of milk glands, milk ducts and supportive tissue (dense breast tissue), and fatty tissue (non-dense breast tissue).
When viewed on a mammogram, women with dense breasts have more dense tissue than fatty tissue. On a mammogram, non-dense breast tissue appears dark and transparent.
3D mammography captures multiple X-ray images of the breast from different angles. This benefits individuals who have varying breast compositions because a 3D mammogram allows for a more detailed view of breast tissue, particularly in dense breasts where overlapping structures can make interpretation difficult.
Your personal comfort
Different types of imaging studies come with varying degrees of discomfort for the patient. It is important to understand this before you have a scan.
How does 3D mammography adapt to individual comfort during the study?
New, curved designs improve not only image quality, but comfort. Three-dimensional (3D) machines are designed to be as comfortable as possible by conforming to natural contours of your body. By doing this, it results in improved compression across the entire breast allowing for a quicker scan to be completed.
Before every mammogram, the technologist performing the study will do their best to ensure comfort by adjusting the positioning of the equipment and by giving clear instructions to the patient.
What measures are in place to reduce discomfort or anxiety during a 3D mammogram?
During a 3D mammogram, compression pressure is applied for a few seconds to spread out the breast tissue.
The pressure isn’t harmful, but some find it uncomfortable. If you have too much discomfort, tell the technologist immediately.
Next, the 3D mammogram machine will move above you from one side to the other as it collects images.
It is important to tell the technologist at any time if pain occurs as the compression is increased, and they will adjust the process as much as possible. Please remember that compression allows for a better quality mammogram.
How does the design of a 3D mammogram enhance your comfort?
The latest in 3D mammogram machines feature a curved design to mirror the shape of a woman’s breast, along with cushioning for added comfort, and software that takes breast shape into account for clearer images with less compression.
The design of a 3D mammogram aims to enhance comfort by providing a more accurate and detailed view of breast tissue, reducing the need for additional tests. This can contribute to increased peace of mind for patients undergoing breast cancer screenings.
Accuracy and diagnostic benefits
With its three-dimensional views, 3D mammograms greatly improve the accuracy of detecting breast cancer. This advance in modern technological imaging saves thousands of lives, offering better diagnostic regimens and better outcomes.
How does 3D mammography improve the accuracy of breast cancer detection?
Three-dimensional mammography provides much more detailed views of breast tissue as compared to traditional 2D mammography.
In particular it reduces overlapping tissue shadows, making it easier to identify abnormalities, and improving the accuracy of breast cancer detection by providing clearer images for radiologists to analyze.
In what ways does 3D imaging help to distinguish benign from malignant growths?
The three dimensional aspect of 3D mammography reduces the shadow effect of overlapping tissues, making it easier to distinguish benign abnormalities from malignant growths. Three dimensional mammograms offer a much clearer picture for radiologists to study.
How does the detailed imaging of 3D mammography support early detection and personalized treatment planning?
The 3D mammogram offers greater precision views of the breasts. The 3D digital image format also allows healthcare providers to zoom in, magnify, change contrast and view the breast as individual slices, resulting in more precise images. This reduces the need for repeat screenings.
How to schedule an appointment with us
Our goal is to offer you and your healthcare provider the most informative results possible, and we make it easy for you to get an appointment.
With numerous locations across South Jersey, you’ll find us conveniently located near major highways and key bridges in the region.
We’ll ensure the entire scheduling process is as effortless as possible for you. Above all, we are here to help you.
Reach out to us at any of the following locations to book an appointment:
- Cherry Hill Office – Cherry Hill, NJ
- Haddonfield Office – Haddonfield, NJ
- Marlton (Greentree) Office – Marlton, NJ
- Moorestown Office – Moorestown, NJ
- Turnersville Office – Turnersville, NJ
- West Deptford Office – West Deptford, NJ
- Willingboro Office – Willingboro, NJ
- Women’s Center at Cross Keys – Sewell, NJ
- Women’s Center at Medford – Medford, NJ
- Women’s Center at Mount Laurel – Mount Laurel, NJ
- Women’s Center at Voorhees – Voorhees Township, NJ
Learn more about the board-certified, subspecialized radiologists who read, analyze and interpret the findings here at South Jersey Radiology Associates.
Frequently Asked Questions
3D mammograms use advanced digital tomosynthesis technology to create detailed, layered images of the breast.
During a 3D mammogram, multiple X-ray images are taken from different angles and combined to create a three-dimensional picture.
3D mammography adapts its imaging techniques to encompass varying breast sizes and shapes, ensuring thorough and tailored coverage.
3D mammograms provide layered images for more detail, while 2D mammograms offer a flat, two-dimensional view.
A healthcare provider may recommend a 3D mammogram for its superior imaging quality and improved accuracy in detecting breast abnormalities.
Breast-tissue density is crucial as dense tissue can mask potential abnormalities, making them harder to detect with traditional methods.
3D mammography is designed to be quicker and more comfortable, with patient-friendly equipment to reduce discomfort and anxiety.
3D mammography improves accuracy by providing clearer and more detailed images, helping to detect cancers earlier and reduce false positives.