As of July 14, South Florida Baptist Hospital is one of the facilities within BayCare Health System to offer three-dimensional breast tomosynthesis for breast cancer screening.
Tomosynthesis is the latest screening and diagnostic technology. It uses X-rays to create a high-resolution digital picture of the breast.
“We now have even better technology available to help us find cancer earlier,” Debi Brightwell, imaging services manager, said. “With tomosynthesis we have the best chance possible to detect even the smallest area of concern.”
Breast tomosynthesis is revolutionary because it gives radiologists the ability to identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue. During a tomosynthesis exam, multiple low-dose images of the breast are acquired at different angles. These images are then used to produce a series of one-millimeter thick slices that can be viewed as a 3-D reconstruction of the breast.
This means radiologists can see breast tissue better and rule out abnormalities that looked suspicious in 2-D, so patients won’t have to return for additional imaging or unnecessary biopsies. The radiologist can see the exact size and shape of a lump or tumor.
Tomosynthesis is a software upgrade on a new scanner utilized for mammography at the South Florida Baptist Hospital Breast Center. Patients won’t feel additional discomfort. They may not even notice a difference during their screening.
By offering women the latest technology in mammography, South Florida Baptist Hospital hopes to increase the number of women who will be routinely screened. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics indicate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s chance of survival. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 97%.
“South Florida Baptist Hospital is committed to the fight against breast cancer,” Brightwell said. “With 3-D breast tomosynthesis digital mammography, we come to battle with an even better weapon against this disease.”
To schedule a 3-D mammogram or for more information about this important breast health procedure, call (813) 757-8350.