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Fast, Accurate Imaging, When You Need It Most

3D Digital Mammography

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    3D Digital mammography(tomosynthesis) is an x-ray exam that produces detailed images of the internal structures of the breasts.  These images can detect abnormalities that are too small to be felt by you or your doctor. 3D mammography provides superior anatomical information compared to 2D especially when imaging dense breast tissue. 

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    Very little preparation is required.  You may eat, drink, and take regular medications.  If you are premenopausal, it is preferable to have your mammogram the week following your period when your breasts are least tender.  You will be asked to undress from the waist up, so you make want to wear a skirt or slacks instead of a dress on the day of your exam.  Do not wear underarm deodorant, powders, or creams on your breasts on the day of the exam.  These can show up on the mammogram images and interfere with the test results. 

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    All exams area performed by female registered technologists who have had specialized training in 3D digital mammography.  Your technologist will take a brief history from you and then have you change into a gown.  The procedure will be explained step-by-step.  Please feel free to ask questions during your exam.  A routine 3D mammogram takes about the same time as a regular 2D exam and the radiation dose is very similar to that of the 2D exam.  The technologist will gently apply slight compression to your breast against the imaging detector.  You (the patient) then have the ability to apply final compression through the use of a remote control.  The technologist will work with you to ensure that optimal compression is achieved.  The compression may be uncomfortable, but should not be intolerable.  Adequate compression is necessary to properly view your breast tissue.  This test takes approximately 15 minutes.  The technologist may have you wait a few minutes while checking the images to make sure all of your breast tissue is imaged adequately for the radiologist to read your study.

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    Your Mammogram (as well as any other breast images) are sent to a radiologist after your exam. The radiologist will review your images and compare them to your prior mammograms. While comparing images, the radiologist will look for any changes or abnormalities in your new mammogram. 

    The radiologist will send a report to your doctor. A copy of the report and a letter will be mailed to you.

     

    • If your mammogram is normal or unchanged, then your report will include a recommendation that you continue with your normal yearly screening interval, unless clinical findings suggest otherwise.

    •  If your mammogram is abnormal, additional diagnostic imaging will be recommended in your report. This recommendation would request that you to return for additional diagnostic mammogram views or an ultrasound, or both, depending on the abnormality.

     

              ❖ Based on the findings of your additional diagnostic imaging, a report

                  will be created by the radiologist and will be mailed to you and faxed to your doctor.

                   This report may recommend that:

                                 ➢ You return to a routine screening schedule (every year), or

                                 ➢ return for a close follow-up schedule (3 or 6 months), or

                            ➢ perform a biopsy

              ❖ A report and a letter will be mailed to you. Your doctor will receive a fax copy of your report and will contact you to schedule your follow up.  Any questions should be directed to your physician at this time. Your physician is the most appropriate person to discuss your findings and clinical history with you.

              ❖ If a biopsy is recommended, your doctor will be contacted by telephone  within 24 hours after your exam time. Your doctor will contact you to schedule the biopsy.  Any questions should be directed to your physician  at this time. Your physician is the most appropriate person to discuss your  findings and clinical history with you. You will receive a letter along with the report in the mail and your doctor will receive a faxed copy of the final report.

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The American Cancer Society recommends mammography, along with self-breast examinations and periodic exams by your doctor as the best means to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages.

1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. But there is hope. When caught in its earliest, localized stages, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Advances in early detection and treatment methods have significantly increased breast cancer survival rates in recent years, and there are currently over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. 

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