The latest technology in breast imaging increases detection of invasive breast cancer by 41 percent
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The Dominican Breast Center, a joint venture between Dignity Health Dominican Hospital and Radiology Medical Group of Santa Cruz County, now offers 3D mammography, or tomosynthesis, for the detection of breast cancer. The Dominican Breast Center is the only medical facility in Santa Cruz County delivering , the latest advancement in mammogram technology.
“Dominican Hospital is proud to partner with the Dominican Breast Center to provide state-of-the-art breast care, right here in our community,” said Dominican Hospital President Nanette Mickiewicz, MD. “With this technology, we are offering our patients both excellence and convenience – we deliver the most advanced technology available for breast cancer detection and spare local patients from traveling to facilities outside of our area.”
“With 2D mammography, small cancers could be hidden by overlapping breast tissue,” said radiologist Kenneth Averill, MD, of Radiology Medical Group of Santa Cruz County.” 3D mammography has been shown to significantly improve breast cancer detection rates over conventional 2D mammography, at the same low radiation dose. The ability to find smaller cancers results in improved patient outcomes.”
During tomosynthesis exams, an X-ray tube moves in an arc around the breast to produce digital images from multiple angles. This technique provides a clearer depiction of breast tissue compared to standard 2D mammography and, for most patients, the entire process takes approximately 10 minutes. The technology has been shown to decrease the number of false-positive mammograms by revealing that possible abnormalities are actually the overlapping of normal tissue. This results in fewer women called back to undergo additional imaging, decreasing patient anxiety and inconvenience.
Tomosynthesis is a particular advantage for the 40 percent of women with dense breast tissue. It can find small cancers and better define larger tumors that may be obscured by dense tissue on conventional 2D mammograms.
The Dominican Breast Center has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR). For more information about the Dominican Breast Center and 3D tomosynthesis mammography, visit www.dignityhealth.org/dominican/medical-services/imaging-radiology/breast-center.