Offering State-of-the-Art 3D Mammography

Breast imaging team members Christy, Sandy and Denise stand proudly next to the new 3D mammography unit installed in October. The department has since seen over 200 patients for mammograms in less than two months.

Mammoth Hospital is excited to offer Genius™ 3D Mammography exams, developed by Hologic, Inc., a worldwide leader in Women’s Health.

Utilizing advanced breast tomosynthesis technology, Genius™ exams are clinically proven to significantly increase the detection of breast cancers, also decreasing the number of women asked to return for additional testing.

In conventional 2D mammography, overlapping tissue is a leading reason why small breast cancers may be missed and normal tissue may appear abnormal, leading to unnecessary callbacks. These exams include a three-dimensional method of imaging that can greatly reduce the tissue overlap effect.

A Genius exam includes both 2D images and tomosynthesis scans. During the tomosynthesis-dimensional portion of the exam, an X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over the breast, taking multiple images. A computer then converts the images into a stack of thin layers, allowing the radiologist to review the breast tissue one layer at a time. A Genius exam requires no additional compression and takes just a few seconds longer than a conventional 2D breast cancer-screening exam.

This new exam technology is revolutionizing how breast cancer is detected by providing a better option for women of all breast densities compared to 2D alone.

Researchers have found that:

• 3D mammography finds 20-65% more invasive breast cancers compared to 2D alone, an average increase of 41%.
• Only the Genius™ 3D Mammography exam is FDA approved as superior for women with dense breasts compared to 2D alone.
• 3D Mammography reduces callbacks by up to 40% compared to 2D alone.

Because of the generosity of the Mammoth Hospital Auxiliary, Mammoth Resorts, Rusty Gregory, and our giving community, the Medical Imaging department at Mammoth Hospital is able to replace our digital mammography system with a new state of the art 3D tomosynthesis unit, says Radiologist, Yuri Parisky. “Having the best tools for early detection of breast cancer is going to be very impactful to this community and for that I am incredibly grateful!”

If you would like to schedule a 3D mammography exam, or have questions about this important breast health procedure, please contact Mammoth Hospital’s Medical Imaging department at (760) 924-4070.