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October 2024
Volume 11 | Issue No. 89
3D mammograms record 60 images at
15-degree angles, providing a multilayered
view, while 2D mammograms take only
one static image of the breast.
"As a radiologist, I can scroll through the
images at my work station, looking at the
breast tissue in 1 mm slices, very similar to
a CAT scan," said Dr. Amy Patel, medical
director at Liberty Hospital Breast Cancer
Center and the former lead interpreting
physician for breast imaging at Ray
County Memorial Hospital. "If there is a
cancer hiding, particularly in a breast with
dense tissue, I'm more likely to see it."
While 2D mammograms take only
one static image of the breast, 3D
mammograms record 60 images at
15-degree angles, providing a multilayered
view.
"As a radiologist, I can scroll through the
images at my work station, looking at the
breast tissue in 1 mm slices, very similar to
a CAT scan," said Dr. Amy Patel, medical
director for women's imaging at Liberty
Hospital and lead interpreting physician for
breast imaging at Ray County Memorial
Hospital. "If there is a cancer hiding,
particularly in a breast with dense tissue,
I'm more likely to see it."
3D mammograms are also less painful
than 2D scans. "There is less compression
involved, yet we can see things better,"
Patel said. "Smart curve" 3D compression
paddles reduce discomfort because they
conform to the shape of the woman's
breast. "We get feedback from patients
like, 'Wow! This mammogram didn't even
hurt!'"
READ MORE
Overall cancer health has improved, stark demographic
divides remain — especially for Black patients. According
to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, although
incidences of breast cancer have similar rates across most
racial groups, Black patients face a death rate 41% higher
than white patients.
