![]() Pressure is applied for a few seconds to spread out the breast tissue. Your breast is gradually pressed against the platform by a clear plastic plate. The technician helps you position your head, arms and torso to allow an unobstructed view of your breast. The technician places one of your breasts on a platform and raises or lowers the platform to match your height. To make this easier, wear a two-piece outfit that day.įor the procedure itself, you stand in front of an X-ray machine equipped to perform 3D mammograms. Metallic particles in powders and deodorants can interfere with the imaging.Īt the testing facility, you're given a gown and asked to remove any necklaces and clothing from the waist up. Avoid using deodorants, antiperspirants, powders, lotions, creams or perfumes under your arms or on your breasts. Don't use deodorant before your mammogram.If you're going to a new facility for your 3D mammogram, gather any prior mammograms and bring them with you to your appointment so that the radiologist can compare them to your new images. Your breasts are most likely to be tender the week before and the week during your period. If you haven't gone through menopause, that's usually during the week after your menstrual period. Schedule the test for a time when your breasts are least likely to be tender.Your insurance company may cover the standard mammogram portion of the test, while you'll be responsible for the cost of the 3D mammogram portion. Check with your insurance provider before your test so that you'll know what types of costs to expect. Not all insurance companies cover 3D mammograms. If you're interested in this test, ask your doctor whether it's available in your area. Though 3D mammograms are becoming more common, they aren't available everywhere. Choose a facility that offers 3D mammograms.It's possible for a 3D mammogram to miss an area of cancer, such as if the cancer is very small or if it's in an area that's difficult to see. This is known as a false-positive result, and it can cause unneeded anxiety if you undergo additional imaging and testing, such as a biopsy, to further assess the suspicious area. A 3D mammogram may identify an abnormality that, after additional tests, turns out to be benign or consistent with normal tissue. The test may find something that turns out to not be cancer. ![]() Some newer 3D mammogram machines can create both 3D and 2D images at the same time, which lowers the amount of radiation. Because a 3D mammogram is usually combined with a standard mammogram, the level of radiation may be greater than a standard mammogram alone. A 3D mammogram uses X-rays to create an image of the breast, which exposes you to a low level of radiation. As with every test, it carries certain risks and limitations, such as: For this reason, most guidelines for breast cancer screening don't specify that women should choose 3D mammograms over standard mammograms alone.Ī 3D mammogram is a safe procedure. There isn't enough evidence to conclude that 3D mammograms can reduce the risk of dying of breast cancer more than a standard mammogram alone. Both dense breast tissue and cancers appear white on a standard mammogram, which may make breast cancer more difficult to detect in dense breasts. Dense breasts have greater amounts of dense breast tissue than fatty tissue. A 3D mammogram offers advantages in detecting breast cancer in people with dense breast tissue because the 3D image allows doctors to see beyond areas of density.īreast tissue is composed of milk glands, milk ducts and supportive tissue (dense breast tissue) and fatty tissue. Improve breast cancer detection in dense breast tissue. Studies indicate that combining a 3D mammogram with a standard mammogram can result in about one more breast cancer for every 1,000 women screened when compared with standard mammogram alone. Detect slightly more cancers than a standard mammogram alone. ![]() Combining a 3D mammogram with a standard mammogram reduces the need for follow-up imaging. It may take extra time and lead to additional costs. Being called back for additional imaging can be stressful. When doctors detect abnormalities on standard mammogram images, they may recommend additional imaging. ![]()
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