How the New 3D Mammography Impacts Breast Screening

An advancement in breast mammography makes it easier to diagnose cancer, minimize false positives, and ease a woman’s anxiety about having more screening.

3D mammography, or tomosynthesis, is an advanced screening tool that promotes early detection of breast cancer, according to Sunil Upender, MD, medical director of Imaging, and chairman of the Department of Radiology at Washington Health.

Breast cancer that is diagnosed early has a better recovery rate, says the American Board of Radiology-certified doctor. Dr. Upender will discuss 3D mammography, along with information about who might get cancer, and how it is treated, during a Wellness Wednesday seminar, Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. The public can watch online in real time at facebook.com/WashingtonHealth1, or on youtube.com/@Washington_Health.

The seminar, “Breast Cancer Screening: The Impact of 3D Mammography,” kicks off October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which includes a free Think Pink event Oct. 16, 5 to 7 p.m. For the 17^th year, Washington Health has hosted this event to help raise awareness for breast cancer screening, along with educating and supporting women. The event takes place in the tent atrium at Washington West, 2500 Mowry Ave., Fremont.

“3D mammograms are the new standard of care, and both patients and doctors really appreciate them,” said Dr. Upender. “Women appreciate them because the images are more enhanced and precise, which reduces the need to be called back to have additional images taken. In some traditional mammograms, radiologists would request additional images if, for example, a women had dense breasts or if something was in question,” he added. Doctors appreciate them because the images are much clearer.

Reduces Need for Additional Images

Dr. Upender explained that 3D mammography reduces the recall rate by 15%, which helps manage a women’s anxiety. It can be nerve-wracking to get called back for additional images. While most of the time it turns out to be nothing, radiologists are diligent about double-checking.

In addition to fewer callbacks, the 3D screening:

• Improves cancer detection rate.
• Reduces false positives.
• Provides precise lesion localization.
• Decreases patient anxiety.
• Increases positive predictive value.

The 3D screening looks and feels the same as the traditional test, with similar positioning and compression, and an equal amount of radiation. Women will notice nothing different. However, the 3D test is much better, providing a more comprehensive view of a woman’s breast in layers, which Dr. Upender describes as assembling a loaf of sliced bread. “With 3D mammography, radiologists are detecting 40 percent more cancers,” he added, “which is good news, because early detection means a better outcome.”

Dr. Upender is passionate about women having a yearly mammogram for early detection. About 30% of all the images he and his staff review are breast exams. One in eight women will get breast cancer, he said, reminding women that everyone knows someone who has been treated for the disease.

There are 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Each year, 300,000 new cases are diagnosed, making it the most common form of cancer after skin cancer. It’s the second-leading cause of cancer death for women.

Report Helps Women Manage Risk

With 3D mammography, a woman is also given a report about the density of her breasts. This information is good to know, as denser breasts are slightly more prone to developing cancer because there is more tissue that can be affected. Dense breast tissue also obscures cancer, making it harder to detect on a mammogram. Women with a high risk of developing cancer can discuss supplemental breast testing with their physician.

“The risk of breast cancer increases as a woman ages, and will keep rising. But it’s very treatable when caught early,” Dr. Upender explained. He recommends yearly mammograms, starting at age 40, or sooner if a woman has a family history or a first-degree relative with breast cancer.

“Breast Cancer Screening: The Impact of 3D Mammography” airs Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. It can be viewed at facebook.com/WashingtonHealth1, or on YouTube.com/@Washington_Health.