Gundersen Health System's Mobile Mammography Coach is now equipped with 3D mammography, making advanced imaging technology close to home at Gundersen Boscobel Area Hospital and Clinics.
"The benefit of 3D mammography is that breast tissue can be evaluated layer by layer, making fine details more visible and no longer hidden by overlapping tissue," said Judy Dayton, Director of Ancillary Services.
A standard digital mammogram provides doctors with a 2D image of the breast. Sometimes, overlapping layers of tissue can create unclear results or false alarms.
"3D mammography is a modification of standard digital mammography. It aims to decrease the effect of overlapping breast tissue by taking several X-ray images of each breast to create a more accurate 3D picture," Dayton said.
3D mammography has been shown to:
- Reduce the number of patients called back for additional imaging tests, resulting in less anxiety and decreased costs
- Find cancer earlier than standard digital mammography alone, which may result in less aggressive treatment and better outcomes
Although studies have shown all patients may benefit from 3D mammography compared to standard mammography, patients with denser breasts, described as "heterogeneously dense" or "extremely dense" in their mammogram report, benefit more due to more tissue overlap, according to Gundersen breast radiologists.
Most patients who are due for a standard mammogram can elect to have a 3D mammogram.
Medicare covers payment for 3D mammography. If patients have private insurance, they should ask their insurance company if 3D mammography is a covered benefit before scheduling an appointment.
To schedule your 3D mobile mammogram in Boscobel, call your Gundersen Boscobel primary care provider at (608) 375-4144. For more information, visit gundersenhealth.org/3D.