Mammograms help save lives, as they can detect the presence of breast cancer before it becomes noticeable to the patient or doctor. Since early treatment increases survival odds, the team from Hudson Valley Imaging  encourages women to pursue the screening schedule recommended by their medical professionals. Now, there’s a new form of mammography available which could be even more advantageous in detecting the disease: 3-D mammograms.

Here are a few advantages of 3-D mammography versus traditional two-dimensional imaging:

• Increased Ability to Find Cancer: Research indicates 3-D mammograms are better able to detect cancer than traditional mammography. The three-dimensional approach captures images of breast tissue from different angles, thereby achieving a more detailed and comprehensive image that experts can use to detect even the smallest abnormalities.   

• Fewer False Positives: When a possible sign of breast cancer is detected via a mammogram but turns out to be normal, it’s referred to as a false positive. These erroneous diagnoses aren’t just emotionally taxing—they can also be costly, as they require follow-up visits and tests. According to a UCLA Health publication, 3-D mammography leads to fewer false positives than regular mammography.
• More Comprehensive Evaluation: 3D mammography takes 200 images in the time that 2D imaging takes its standard number of views. Additionally, the views are 3D, which allows the complexities of your breast tissue to be more visible since fine details are no longer hidden by the breast tissue above or below.