Breast Imaging (Mammography)

According to the National Cancer Institute, mammography is the most common screening test for breast cancer. It provides a low-risk way to determine the existence of cancer in the breast. For some types of cancer, the chances for a complete recovery are greater if found and treated at an early stage.

You and your doctor can determine the right approach to screening for breast cancer based on your age, your health history, and the make up of your breast tissue.

Breast tomosynthesis gives doctors a three-dimensional view of the breast by converting digital breast images into a stack of very thin layers.

From these images, a computer builds a three-dimensional image of the breast—one that allows doctors to “pull away” layers of the image to get a more complete view of all the breast tissue because finer details are more visible.

A mammogram using breast tomosynthesis works much the same as a standard mammogram with the addition of a sweep by the X-ray arm in a slight arc over the breast, taking several pictures in just seconds.