3D Mammography Services Available at Northside Hospital-Forsyth

Women who undergo routine mammograms at Breast Care Center now have the latest diagnostic technology available to them called digital breast tomosynthesis, also known as 3D mammography.

Breast tomosynthesis, from Hologic’s Selenia Dimensions System, is the latest advance in the fight against breast cancer. During the same compression, patients receive their traditional screening mammogram in combination with breast tomosynthesis, which takes a series of low-dose images from multiple angles around the breast. The images are then reconstructed by a computer to provide a 3D model of the breast. Patients should notice almost no difference from prior digital mammogram experiences.  Studies have shown that the combination of 2D and 3D mammograms provides the best evaluation of the breast.

"Tomosynthesis allows radiologists to see the inner structure of the breast in a way that we never have before, even allowing us to look at individual layers of the breast," said Dr. Shannon Norris, radio logist, Northside Hospital. "The technology also can help detect cancers that may have been missed by traditional mammography, especially in patients with dense breast tissue, and can help reduce the recall of patients for follow-up mammograms and biopsies."

Because one in eight women will get breast cancer sometime during her lifetime, early detection is the best protection. 

The American Cancer society recommends that, beginning at age 40, women should have annual mammograms and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. Mammograms are a very effective and valuable tool for decreasing suffering and death from breast cancer.

"More cases of breast cancer are diagnosed and treated at Northside Hospital than at any other hospital in the southeast," said Deidre Dixon, director of radiology services, Northside Hospital. "We want to give our patients the very best tools for early detection."

Northside was the first in Atlanta to offer breast tomosynthesis, when it acquired the groundbreaking technology at its Atlanta Breast Care Center in September 2011.

For more information visit the hospital's Web site or, to schedule a mammogram, call 404-851-6577.