SHREVEPORT, La. -- For Willis Knighton Breast Health Center radiologist Dr. Ramin Zamani, advances in mammography have meant he can bring patients better news than what came before. Before, mammograms could only capture a two-dimensional (2D) image.
But now with 3D mammograms, also known as digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) or tomosynthesis, the devices use X-rays to capture multitudes of images, called slices, which together represent a fuller picture of what's happening under the skin.
Dr. Ramani said, "You go through each slice one by one, so all of those lesions, they will be detected one by one, they will be detected through different slices, with much better clarity, (and) the margins are better," adding that it allows radiologists to detect cancers when they're smaller as well.
Studies show 3D mammograms increase the rate of early detection by 17% compared to 2D technology.
Dr. Ramani said early detection enables providers to start treatments at a point when eradicating the breast cancer isn't as difficult.
"It's almost always easier to give patients a comforting answer rather than bad news," Dr. Ramani said.
The other issue is for some women with dense breasts, not only are they more prone to cancer, 2D mammograms have a harder time picking it up, especially if it's in the center of the breast. That's not the case with 3D mammograms, which is another key reason they're preferable.
More information about mammograms can be found at the Willis Knighton Breast Health Center website.