Apart from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, affecting roughly one in eight. While that percentage has remained static for decades, the average 5-year survival rate has risen to 90%. When breast cancer is discovered early, while isolated within the breast, the 5-year survival rate jumps to 99%, making early discovery paramount.
That’s why it’s so important to catch breast cancer early, before it has a chance to spread. One of the best tools for early discovery is the next generation ofscreening mammography, the 3D mammography™ exam. Also known as breast tomosynthesis, the 3D mammography™ exam provides more detail than traditional mammography for up to 40% greater accuracy, especially among the estimated 47% of women with dense breast tissue. Dense breasts contain more fibrous or glandular tissue than fat. 3D technology is able to see through this denser tissue better than traditional 2D digital mammography, making it the only screening mammogram approved as superior for dense breast tissue by the FDA.
The 3D mammography™ exam sees through overlapping layers of breast tissue to discover even the tiniest abnormalities while reducing the chance of stressful false alarms and subsequent additional testing. It captures multiple images of the breast from different angles, which are recreated by sophisticated computer software to produce a 3D image of the breast. It is now becoming the preferred mode of breast screening across the US, but many facilities have yet to adopt it. RAI was one of the first providers in the region to embrace, train in and utilize this state-of-the-art technology. We are also one of the only local radiology centers that demand all 3D mammography™ exam images be read onsite by our board certified radiologists, who have the experience and training to interpret images and corroborate findings with your doctor.
If you’re due for a routine screening mammogram, contact your local RAI imaging center for an appointment.