by Sarah Friedewald, M.D. (NAPSA)—Mycolleagues and I recently published results of the largest study of its kind on 3D mammograms, and the outcomeis big news for women: This new screening methodfinds 41 percent more invasive cancers than traditional mammograms and decreases the “y f 3 likelihood of false ‘jalarms. This can help save women’s ly wy lives, since 3D mam1 rl / mograms help doc1) WN tors find breast canDr. Friedewald cer early, when it’s most treatable. Considering that one in eight women will develop breast cancer at somepoint in herlife, access to the best screening technology is very important. For the patient, the test itself is very similar to an ordinary 2D mammogram. However, for the doctor, much more information is available. In a way, it’s like the difference between an open book and a closed book. If you only look at it is 10 times larger than other studies to date, and because the data came from both academic and community health care settings, it tells a compelling story about the effectiveness of 3D mammography. More and more patients across A study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association demonstrated the benefits of 3D mammograms. the cover, similar to traditional mammography, you can’t see what is inside. However, 3D mammogra- phy is like being able to open the book, seeing everything in between, page by page. This allows doctors to look at different layers of breast tissue and helps us find cancers that might be hidden behind normal tissue. This ultimately allows us to diagnose potential problems moreaccurately. One reason our studyis so significant is the sheer number of mammograms reviewed. Because the country now have the opportunity to receive 3D exams because more and more doctors are adopting this new standard in mammography. Learn More For further facts on the benefits of 3D mammography, talk to your doctor and visit www.3D mammogram.com for a list of some 3D mammographyproviders nearby. eDr. Friedewald is a radiologist and co-medical director of the Caldwell Breast Center at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. She was lead author of The Journal of the American Medical Association article “Breast Cancer Screening Using Tomosynthesis in Combination With Digital Mammography” (JAMA, 6/25/14). Note to Editors: Although October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this article can be helpful to your readers at any time.
