September 16, 2015
The picture on the left shows a 2-D mammography image of the breast. The rest of the pictures show images of the same breast using 3-D mammography. The suspicious area in the breast is much easier to see in the 3-D images. Using this methodology, doctors can identify breast cancer earlier and easier in women with dense breast tissue.
West Columbia, S.C. –As part of a comprehensive program for the diagnosis of breast cancer, Lexington Medical Center is pleased to announce it now offers 3D mammography. This new breast cancer screening tool creates a group of three dimensional images of the breast and allows doctors to view tissue one millimeter at a time, making tiny details visible earlier and easier. 3D mammography, also known as digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), is currently recommended for women who are having their first screening mammogram or who have dense breast tissue.
Lexington Medical Center is the first facility in the Midlands to offer this technology. Studies in the Journal of The American Medical Association have shown that 3D mammography increases breast cancer detection, and reduces false positives and unnecessary callbacks for patients with dense breast tissue.
“Lexington Medical Center is excited to offer this leading edge technology for breast cancer screening,” said Dr. Beth Siroty-Smith, director of Women’s Imaging services for Lexington Radiology Associates at Lexington Medical Center. “3D mammography reduces difficulties in identifying abnormalities in women with denser breast tissue and results in increased cancer detection.”
3D mammography uses a low dose X-ray to create multiple images within seconds that are similar to the “slices” of images in a CT scan. The FDA-approved procedure uses the same type of equipment as a 2D mammogram and a similar dose of radiation. Women who have questions about whether or not they should receive a 3D mammogram should talk to their doctor.
Women who are having a first screening mammogram or whose doctors have told them they have dense breast tissue may schedule a 3D mammogram at Lexington Medical Center’s Women’s Imaging facility on the main hospital campus in West Columbia. Women’s Imaging will nearly double the number of daily scheduling slots in an effort to accommodate all interested women. Evening and weekend hours will also soon be available. To schedule an appointment, please call (803) 791-2486.
In addition to being an American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, Lexington Medical Center’s breast program has accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and the cancer program has accreditation with commendation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
Lexington Medical Center is a 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, South Carolina. It anchors a health care network that includes five community medical centers and employs a staff of more than 8,000 health care professionals. The hospital is ranked best hospital in the Columbia Metro and #2 hospital in South Carolina by U.S. News & World Report and was named one of the “Best Places to Work in South Carolina” by SC Biz News, in partnership with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Best Companies Group. Lexington Medical Cancer Center is an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence and has a clinical research and education affiliation with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. The network includes a cardiovascular program recognized by the American College of Cardiology as South Carolina's first HeartCARE Center. The network also has an occupational health center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, an Alzheimer's care center and more than 70 physician practices. Lexington Medical Center operates one of the busiest Emergency departments in South Carolina, treating nearly 100,000 patients each year. The hospital delivers more than 4,000 babies each year and performs more than 25,000 surgeries. Its postgraduate medical education programs include family medicine and transitional year residencies.
