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Monday, Oct. 13, 2014

3D MAMMOGRAMS

Willis-Knighton rolls out new imaging system

mammogram

This month, Willis-Knighton Health System is using Breast Cancer Awareness Month to begin the rollout of a new a technology initiative that will bring advanced 3D breast imaging throughout the health system.  

This 3D mammography will first be phased in at outpatient locations, beginning with the WK Portico Breast Center in October, then WK Bossier Medical Pavilion in November and Willis-Knighton South Breast Center in December.  Finally, it will be available throughout the health system, including the hospitals, by mid-2015.

“We are pleased to offer this exceptional technology to women in our community,” Joyce Hooper, administrative director of radiology for Willis-Knighton Health System, said. 

“This is another way we demonstrate that we are committed to providing patients in our area with superior technology in multiple locations. This 3D mammography is a true benefit to women and will save lives.”

“3D mammography is the use of low- dose X-ray energy to produce images of the breast,” said Shelley Wells, radiology assistant director for Willis-Knighton Health System. 

A 3D mammogram, also known as digital breast tomosynthesis, is performed in conjunction with a 2D digital mammogram to provide a series of 1 millimeter visual “slices,” allowing breast tissue to be viewed layer by
layer.  

“The reconstructed images are like reading a book from cover to cover,”  Wells said.

The new technology provides much more data for radiologists and physicians to use. “Two-D mammography usually produces  from four to eight images, whereas 3D mammography results in anywhere from 70-80 images,” Wells said.  “This allows for the breast tissue to be clearly demonstrated on every image without any superimposition of the tissues. In 2D mammography, overlapping of the breast tissue can make it more difficult to identify suspicious lesions. Three-D mammography is 30-50 percent better at finding small invasive cancers, which translates into saved lives.”

This mammography technology is manufactured by Hologic, a world leader in breast cancer diagnostic technology.  Conventional mammography takes images of the breasts from two angles. However, the 3D scanner moves in an arc over the breasts, taking images from various angles. 

Using the 3D technology adds no more than a few seconds to the mammogram experience but provides a wealth of information to the radiologist reading the exam.  

Patients will be especially glad to learn that the new method does not require any additional discomfort on their part. 

“The patients will not notice any difference in their mammography experience except that the tube moves in an arc rather than staying stationary,” Wells said. “The patient will continue to hold their breath for four seconds with no extra compression being
necessary.”

Studies reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association and the American Journal of Roentgenology indicate that this technology finds more invasive cancers and reduces unnecessary call-backs for additional studies. A call-back happens when a mammogram picks up something suspicious, and the doctor wants to do additional imaging or even possibly a biopsy.  

“Call-backs are necessary with 2D mammography because the overlapping of tissues. It is more difficult to distinguish dense breast tissue from calcification or cancerous tissues,” Wells said.  “During the call-back, women will undergo coned down or magnified views of the suspicious area of interest.”

“The call-back rate now is one in five patients. With 3D mammography, this can be drastically reduced to one in 100,” Wells said. 

“This will greatly reduce the anxiety that women experience with having to return for a second exam and wait for the results. With 3D mammography, the information is already there from the very beginning.” 

When compared to 2D mammography, 3D mammography can provide clearer images of dense breast tissue. Not only can this result in far fewer false alarms, it can also allow for earlier detection of even small cancers, when they are easier to treat. When breast cancer is detected early, before it has spread, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent.

“Every woman beginning at age 40 should have a mammogram,” Wells
said. 

“If there is a family history of cancer, women should consult with their physician to determine at what age they need to begin getting a mammogram. Three-D mammography is an excellent tool for women with dense or fibrocystic breast tissue. However, any woman can benefit from this revolutionary technology, except women who have large breasts or who are pregnant.”

For the final three months of 2014, the 3D portion of the mammogram will be available for no additional charge. In order to accommodate the increased demand during the month of October, Willis-Knighton Breast Center will also be providing additional screening
hours.

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