3D vs. 2D Mammograms: What You Need to Know
Two-dimensional mammograms have long been considered the gold standard for screening for breast cancer. But is the new 3D version better?
Up until about two decades ago, all mammograms were done using an X-ray machine, which generated two-dimensional (2D) images of breast tissue.
Both types of machines are still used to screen for breast cancer, and mammography of all kinds is still widely considered to be the gold standard for screening.
Here’s what you need to know about both types.
What Is a 3D Mammogram?
“More than half of mammograms performed in the U.S. now are 3D, and its use is increasing,” says John Lewin, MD, the chief of the breast imaging division at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center in New Haven, Connecticut.
3D vs. 2D Mammogram: What’s the Difference?
Who Should Get a 3D Mammogram?
2D mammograms are still useful for screening and diagnosis. If your doctor doesn’t recommend a 3D mammogram for you, it most likely means 2D mammography suffices to screen you.
What to Expect During a Mammogram
The experience of a 3D mammogram is very similar to a standard 2D mammogram, says Claudia Cotes, MD, an assistant professor and breast cancer radiologist at UTHealth Houston.
During both procedures, you will be required to undress above your waist and will be given a wrap to wear. The radiographer or technician will ask you to stand in front of the mammogram machine, then lower a plate-like structure on the machine to compress your breast for about 10 to 15 seconds.
Getting Your 3D Mammogram Result
Results from a 3D mammogram are usually available within a few days, sometimes even the same day, says Dr. Cotes. The turnaround time may vary depending on the facility and workload, but patients are typically notified promptly once the results are ready.
If your screening mammogram shows abnormal results, your medical center will call you back in for more imaging, Dr. Lewin says. When called back, additional mammographic images, ultrasound, or both will be performed to determine if a biopsy is necessary.
An abnormal mammogram result does not always mean a person has breast cancer. Sometimes, mammograms pick up issues like cysts and benign growths.
Is 3D Mammography Safe?
Cost of a 3D Mammogram
Cotes says that it can still go higher or lower than this range, depending on your healthcare provider and insurance coverage.
The Takeaway
More than half of mammograms performed in the United States are now 3D mammograms. Either form of mammography is considered an adequate screening method, but research suggests that 3D mammography is more accurate than 2D mammography. Speak with your doctor about the best breast cancer screening test for you, depending on your age and risk factors.Resources We Trust
- Mayo Clinic: Dense Breast Tissue: What It Means to Have Dense Breasts
- Yale Medicine: Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (3D Mammography)
- American Cancer Society: Getting Called Back After a Mammogram
- Northwestern Medicine: Why Choose 3D Mammography
- University of California in San Francisco: 3D Mammography Technique Benefits Some Women, Not All
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