The advantages of 3D mammograms


3D mammography at VMH ... October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Advances in early detection, such as the 3D digital mammography machine at Veterans Memorial Hospital, and treatment methods have significantly increased breast cancer survival rates in recent years. Pictured above is Renee Stokman, Mammographer, with a patient at the 3D mammography machine at the hospital. Submitted photo.

by Renee Stokman, Mammographer, Veterans Memorial Hospital

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are some recent breast cancer statistics:
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers.
• It is estimated that in 2024, approximately 30% of all new female cancer diagnoses will be breast cancer.
• On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.
• Approximately 66% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage, before cancer has spread outside of the breast, when it is easiest to treat.
• The 5-year relative survival rate for cancer diagnosed at the localized stage is 99%.
• Approximately 15% of women diagnosed have a family history of breast cancer. Those with a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer are nearly twice as likely to develop breast cancer themselves.

According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Advances in early detection, such as the 3D digital mammography machine at Veterans Memorial Hospital, and treatment methods have significantly increased breast cancer survival rates in recent years.

I’ve heard about 3D Mammograms… why are they better?
Veterans Memorial Hospital is proud to be offering this advanced equipment to the members of our community. When you come in for your 3D mammogram, you really won’t notice much of a difference compared to the 2D (regular) mammogram. We still start with 2 images of each breast, and we still use compression to get adequate visualization of the breast. When we take your images, we get an additional set of thin slices of your breast. The images we get are similar to a CT scan, where the doctor is able to scroll through your breast slice by slice. When we view the breast this way, we can detect smaller cancers earlier. There is also a lower chance that you will get called in for additional images due to overlapping dense breast tissue.

How much does it cost?
Most insurance companies are covering 3D mammograms, including Medicare.

Does everyone need 3D mammography?
3D mammograms are especially beneficial for women that have dense, fibrous breast tissue, but they are also advantageous for women with more fatty breast tissue.

Do I need a doctor’s order to get my mammogram?
No! You can call on your own to schedule this.  Even if you have had your previous mammograms done at different facilities, you can still come to Veterans Memorial Hospital to get the 3D mammogram.

Call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411 to schedule your 3D mammogram. Mammograms can be scheduled Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.