New 3-D mammograms give women peace of mind

Jewell Ladson-Jenkins’ latest mammogram at Hollings Cancer Center sounded a little Hollywood: It was 3-D. No funny glasses needed, though - just a radiologist experienced in reading high-tech breast exams. It was perfect for her.

“My breast tissue is very dense,” Ladson-Jenkins said. Density doesn’t have anything to do with how breasts look or feel. It means they have a lot of fibrous or glandular tissue and not much fat.

Having dense breasts puts women at a higher risk of breast cancer, and the cancer can be harder to spot on mammograms. Studies have shown that 3-D mammograms, also known as breast tomosynthesis, can increase breast cancer detection by 10 to 30 percent.

MUSC now offers 3-D mammograms in Hollings Cancer Center, which is the only center in the state with National Cancer Institute designation, and MUSC Health East Cooper. Breast imaging radiologist Rebecca Leddy, M.D., said they give a more in-depth view than 2-dimensional exams by taking multiple images of the breasts, then creating a 3-D view in 1-millimeter “slices” that the doctor can scroll through like the pages in a book.

“It gives us more confidence,” Leddy said. “The things we see that concern us, we’re able to see them a lot more clearly in 3-D mammograms. On the other hand when we just take a 2-D image, there is a lot of overlapping tissue that could mask an underlying cancer.”

The 3-D exams don’t replace the 2-D version. They’re done in addition to it. Leddy said, “They not only can improve cancer detection, but also reduce the callback rates, decreasing the patient anxiety."

And they aren’t just for women with dense breasts. They’re also recommended for women at increased risk of breast cancer and women having their first mammograms. “In fact, 3-D mammograms can benefit anybody,” Leddy said. That includes women who have breast implants.

She said women should check with their insurance providers to see if 3-D mammograms are covered. If they aren’t, the out-of-pocket cost is $75.

Leddy said all women should start getting annual mammograms after they turn 40. Women at higher risk of breast cancer may need to start mammogram screening even at a younger age. “Getting your mammogram is important, whether it’s 2-D or 3-D.”

Ladson-Jenkins said the 3-D version isn’t any different from the 2-D version in terms of how the exam physically feels. The breasts are compressed for just a few seconds longer but the psychological difference is huge for her. “I felt really good after this one,” Ladson-Jenkins said. “It felt like it was more specific and targeted to my situation.”