Mammography is an irreplaceable part of any woman’s life, as it is often the frontline defense in the fight against breast cancer. However, the direction of mammograms is changing, and 2D mammography may be on its way out in favor of 3D mammograms.
Because this technology is still new in many locations, it is entirely normal for women to be unfamiliar with this form of breast cancer screening. 3D mammograms offer numerous advantages that stand out above the results that 2D could provide.
By switching to 3D mammography or even combining 2D and 3D imaging, patients can enjoy a more accurate set of results that can catch breast cancer even earlier than tests in previous years.
Here is what any woman needs to know about the role of 3D mammography in modern breast cancer screening and what to expect during an appointment with a new 3D system.
How Is a 3D Mammogram Different?
As its name implies, a 3D mammogram takes a three-dimensional picture of the breast tissue. While a 2D mammogram produces a flat picture, a 3D mammogram creates an image file that can be rotated to view different angles. Think of it as the difference between looking at a picture of a baseball and holding a baseball in one’s hand.
Having a complete, three-dimensional baseball in the palm of one’s hand so that it can be turned, flipped over, and rotated allows for many more details to become visible that might have been obscured or gone unnoticed in a flat, 2D picture.
Are 3D Mammograms Better?
3D mammograms are changing the way patients can learn from their mammography appointments. Some of the many advantages of a three-dimensional mammogram include:
Higher Detection Rate
When patients utilize a 3D mammogram (a digital breast tomosynthesis mammogram, or DBT), they are more likely to see cancer detection earlier than if using a 2D scan. This effect persists regardless of the age group. In other words, DBT finds cancerous tissue earlier, when it is smaller and easier to remove or treat.
Fewer Follow-up Appointments
Another advantage of 3D mammography is that it correlates with a lower rate of follow-up appointments. Because the 3D image is often so clear, patients can be directed immediately to their next steps, whether a biopsy, treatment, or simply scheduling next year’s mammogram for continued prevention.
Reducing the number of follow-up appointments is an important part of decreasing cancer occurrence in women. It is common for women not to attend follow-up appointments because of time, financial, or accessibility constraints, which may lead to potentially delaying care until next year’s mammogram.
Less Discomfort
Many patients generally report that a 3D mammogram is less uncomfortable than a 2D machine. This could result from the 3D scanner’s ability to capture a detailed image without compressing the breast tissue as much. However, pain tolerance and experience vary from person to person, so some may find that a 3D mammogram does not feel all that different from its 2D counterpart.
Less Radiation
One often overlooked advantage of 3D mammography paired with the reduction in follow-up care is the resulting decrease in radiation exposure. While the level of radiation a patient is exposed to during a mammogram is well within safe limits, limiting a patient’s exposure as much as possible is still beneficial. 3D mammograms produce low-dose X-rays, minimizing a patient’s contact with radiation whenever possible.
However, this effect is more impactful given the statistic that 3D mammograms also reduce the need for follow-up appointments. This can spare patients an entire second dose of radiation during an additional scan, thereby reducing that patient’s overall exposure.
Some locations will do a 3D mammogram alongside 2D imaging, which can produce a higher radiation level than 2D or 3D mammography alone.
However, such exposure is still entirely within safe limits, and the resulting images can provide as much detail as possible for patients who are at increased risk of breast cancer development or those who have had cancer before.
Try 3D Mammography for Your Next Appointment
A mammogram should be a part of any woman’s regular healthcare routine. However, she may have to choose between a facility that offers 2D mammography or a 3D DBT machine. Before making that decision, it is important to understand how 3D mammograms can be different!
From higher detection rates to fewer follow-up appointments, there are many potential advantages to trying a 3D mammogram. Contact Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today to schedule your mammogram appointment and stay on track with preventive breast cancer screening.