St. Margaret's Hospital Guild Diagnostic Breast Center

A 3D mammogram is similar to a traditional mammogram and requires the same positioning and compression of the breasts. Instead of taking a single picture in each position, the X-ray machine sweeps in an arc over the breast and obtains multiple low-dose images. A computer then combines those images to produce a three-dimensional image of the breast tissue in one-millimeter slices. The radiologist scrolls through the images of the breast, similar to flipping through pages of a book, allowing better detail and more accuracy than the traditional 2D mammography. 

A screening mammogram is an examination performed for women who have no breast complaints. This is a test recommended every year for women over 40 years old to detect breast cancer early, before it can be felt and when it is most treatable. A diagnostic mammogram is a study performed in women who have a breast complaint or as a follow-up to an abnormal screening. 

You will likely not notice a difference between a 3D mammogram and the traditional 2D mammogram. The examination requires the same positioning and takes only a few seconds longer for each image.  

Very low X-ray energy is used and the radiation dose is about the same amount as a traditional mammogram. 

Most women can have a 3D mammogram. Women with extremely large breasts or who have difficulty standing and holding their breath are not good candidates. 

The breast is made up of fatty tissue and fibrous/glandular tissue. Breast tissue is considered dense if there is more fibrous/glandular tissue than fatty tissue on mammogram imaging. Breast density is determined by the radiologist, the doctor who reads your mammogram, and it will be documented on your mammogram results.

Nearly half of women have dense breast tissue. This is important because dense tissue can make it more difficult to visualize cancer on mammogram images. This does not mean that it isn’t important to get a mammogram. Screening mammograms are the only test proven to reduce deaths from breast cancer, and cancers can still be seen on mammograms in patients with dense breast tissue. 

Eskenazi Health utilizes digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) also known as 3D mammography, which improves the detection of cancer. Patients with dense breast tissue may also benefit from additional screening exams like ultrasound and MRI. If you have dense breast tissue, you should discuss these supplemental exams with your doctor and if they are right for you. Currently, screening breast ultrasound (ABUS) is available at St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild Diagnostic Breast Center at Eskenazi Health and can be performed in addition to an annual screening mammogram.