3D Mammography

Revolutionary SmartCurve Technology

Camelback Women’s Health is proud to offer 3D Mammograms with the SmartCurve technology – curved plates for increased comfort!  Since the SmartCurve is shaped like a woman, 93% of our patients report a more comfortable mammogram experience.

 

Screening for Breast health

Doctors and scientists agree that early detection is the best defense against breast cancer. Successful treatment and survival rates for breast cancer patients are dramatically affected by early breast cancers. If we find breast cancer early, before it has spread to lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is almost 100%. Until now, the best way to do that has been with digital mammography.

While digital mammography is still one of the most advanced technologies available today, it is only a 2-dimensional picture of the breast. The breast is a 3-dimensional object composted of different structures, such as blood vessels, milk ducts, fat, and ligaments. All these structures, which are located at different heights within the breast, can overlap and cause confusion when viewed as a 2-dimensional, flat image. This confusion of overlapping tissue is a leading reason why small breast cancers may be missed and normal tissue may appear abnormal, lending to unnecessary call backs.

Camelback Women’s Health is proud to offer Genius 3D mammogram technology from Hologic. a world leader in mammography, who has developed 3-dimensional technology, which has been shown in clinical studies to be superior to digital mammography.

What is Genius 3D Mammography?

3D Mammography, also know as digital Tomosynthesis, is the newest medical technology in the quest for earlier detection of breast cancer.

With conventional 2D digital mammography, the radiologist views an X-Ray image which depicts the entire length and depth of the breast from two different angles. Imagine a book with clear covers and pages. With 2D digital mammography the radiologist must peer through the over and all the pages at once, looking for a single word that does not have the same characteristics of all the other words. Since 3D mammography images the breast in discreet 1mm “slices”, the radiologist now has the ability to look for that abnormal word one page at a time.

Camelback Women’s Health now offers women Genius 3D mammography, in addition to the standard 2D mammography, to provide radiologists with clear details of the breast. Peer reviewed research has shown that when 3D imaging is added to standard 2D imaging, there is a 37% reduction in unnecessary patient call backs. (American Journal of Roentgenology, 2013).

In other recently published clinical study, researchers concluded that when 3D mammography was done in addition to a standard 2D mammogram, the combination significantly reduced the number of false positives and unnecessary recalls for additional imaging and biopsies while increasing early cancer detection rates. (JAMA, 2014)

Who should get Genius 3D Mammograms?

Industry research supports that 3D mammography is particularly helpful for women with dense breast disuse, a strong family history of breast cancer, a history of fibrocystic changes, and women who are regularly called for additional tests. The screening provides a more accurate view and reduces the need for additional patient testing.

Peer-reviewed clinical research supports that 3D mammography is a benefit to all patients regardless of differences in breast density and other breast characteristics.

Women who meet the eligibility requirements for screening and/or diagnostic mammograms may choose to have a 3D mammogram added to the standard 2D mammogram and are not required to have a physician order the 3D mammogram.

There is no time or discomfort difference between a 3D and a 2D mammogram screening.

Both 3D and 2D mammograms are safe. The radiation exposure is equivalent to what someone would be exposed to in a cross country flight.

Why Early Detection Matters?

The average size lump found by regular repeat mammograms:
The average size lump found if found in first mammogram:
The average size lump found by women practicing regular self-exams:
The average size lump found by women practicing occasional self-exams:
The average size lump found by women untrained/unfamiliar with self-exams:

What to Expect During Your Exam?

We respectfully request that you arrive for mammogram appointments at least 10 minutes early and if possible, avoid using lotions, deodorants, perfumes, or powders until after your scan. Late arrivals may need to be rescheduled as a courtesy to patients scheduled after you. If you do need to be rescheduled, we will do our best to accommodate you on the same day, however, if the schedule is full you will need to be rescheduled to another day. We do appreciate your assistance in keeping our mammogram schedule on-time.

A Genius 3D mammography exam is very similar to a traditional mammogram. Just as with a digital mammogram, our technologist will position you, compress your breast under a paddle and take images from different angles using the new SmartCurve system – it is designed to make mammograms more comfortable!   Shaped like a woman!

During the 3D exam, the X-Ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over the breast, taking multiple breast images in just seconds. The images are sent digitally to a dedicated team of specialized breast imaging radiologists with Solis Mammography. They will be able to view these images of your breast tissue in one millimeter layers. Instead of viewing all the complexities of your breast tissue in one flat image, the radiologist can examine the tissue one page or “slice” at a time.

Camelback Women’s Health is in partnership with Solis Mammography for their expertise and invaluable experience with reading of images by their specially trained and dedicated board certified radiologists.

People choose Camelback Women’s Health because of our experienced staff and elite services! If you want to choose us, call 602-494-5050 or 602-468-3912 now to make an appointment with us. You can also request an appointment online. Camelback Women’s Health focuses on providing the highest quality care for women of every stage in life.

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