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3D mammograms near you at Ballad Health
Ballad Health breast and diagnostic imaging centers utilize innovative three-dimensional breast mammography (3D mammograms) to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages.
Traditional 2D mammography could only take a single image in two directions, which causes two limitations. With conventional two-dimensional mammograms, breast cancers can be missed because they’re sometimes hidden behind normal breast tissue.
Normal breast tissues can also overlap one another, which creates what radiologists call a summation shadow in a 2D image. Though it isn’t cancer, this “shadow” can look like cancer upon an initial glance. The effect is similar to the way words on one side of a page can appear to overlap the words on the back of a page when you hold it up to a light.
Seeing that shadow can mean further, unnecessary diagnostic testing, and can also lead to false positives.
Benefits of 3D mammograms
For 3D mammography – which is also called 3D digital breast tomosynthesis or tomography (DBT) – a short X-ray sweep across the breast is used to create an image of the whole breast. The image is designed to separate the tissues and reduce the overlapping tissues that can result in false positive readings.
In fact, 3D mammograms allow the radiologist to take multiple pictures of each breast from various angles. This just isn’t possible with a traditional 2D mammogram due to its limitations.
3D mammograms offer improved cancer detection rates
Three-dimensional digital mammography improves early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. And this helps us put an even greater emphasis on your well-being as a patient.
3D mammography provides:
- Clearer images – Multiple images throughout the breast allow the radiologist to see abnormalities in dense breast tissue that may otherwise go undetected.
- Greater confidence – By helping your doctor see around and between breast tissues, which is difficult with 2D technology. This way, 3D mammograms remove the visual “clutter” to make a mammogram easier to read in women of all breast tissue types.
- Fewer false positives – Together, this enhanced clarity and confidence mean overlapping normal tissue (that might look abnormal in 2D imaging and mistakenly identified as breast cancer) can be more easily seen as normal with 3D mammography.
- One exam for most women, including those with dense breasts – 3D mammography can be used for screening those with any type of breast, including the 40% of women with dense breasts. For them, tumors can be obscured in a 2D mammogram by dense tissues, which makes detecting cancer more challenging.
How are 2D and 3D mammography similar?
3D mammography is similar to 2D in some important ways:
- Same comfort level – The position of the breast in 3D tomosynthesis is identical to 2D mammograms, which means that the examination has a similar comfort level to traditional mammography.
- Image positions – Images are obtained from the same positions as a traditional 2D mammogram.
Why choose Ballad Health breast centers?
Comfort and convenience
In one convenient, spa-like facility, you can have access to:
- Expert physicians
- Advanced technology, including 3D mammography
- Unmatched support for any breast health need – from prevention and screening to detection, treatment and survivorship
ACR accredited for your peace of mind
Ballad Health offers fully accredited breast centers, some of which have been named Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.
Experienced teams
Our Centers have experienced staff and knowledgeable physicians geared to offer the best possible experience.
Schedule a mammogram today
Schedule a mammogram appointment near you today
If you’re a current Ballad Health patient, it’s easier than ever to make a screening mammogram appointment near you by using the Ballad Health app through your MyChart account. For new patients, call 1‑833‑8‑BALLAD.
Want to learn more about mammograms?
It's natural to be nervous about getting a mammogram or breast cancer screening. Ballad Health is here to help make your experience as comfortable as possible – whether you visit one of our breast centers, imaging locations or hospitals.
Frequently asked questions about 3D mammography
A 3D mammogram, also known as digital breast tomosynthesis, is a breast cancer screening tool that creates a layered, three-dimensional image of your breast. This technology allows our radiologists and care team to detect abnormalities with greater clarity – especially in dense breast tissue – and improves early detection rates.
Unlike traditional 2D mammograms, which take a single flat image, a 3D mammogram uses a low-dose x-ray that sweeps across the breast in an arc to capture multiple images from different angles, which are compiled in a detailed 3D view. This helps reduce overlapping tissue and makes it easier to spot potential concerns.
Yes. Ballad Health offers 3D mammography because it provides more detailed images in women with dense breast tissue, fewer false positives and better detection of breast cancer. Your technologist will let you know if you need 2D or 3D imaging based on your breast density.
While 2D mammograms take flat images, 3D mammograms create a layered view, allowing radiologists to see around and between breast tissue.
Focal asymmetry refers to an area in the breast that looks different from the surrounding tissue and appears in multiple views. It can be caused by overlapping tissue, non-harmful changes or, in rare cases, may indicate a need for further evaluation. Most findings of focal asymmetry are not cancer, and your care team will guide you through next steps if follow up is needed.
Absolutely. 3D mammography is especially beneficial for women with dense breast tissue, which can make it harder to detect cancer using 2D imaging. The layered images help radiologists see through dense areas, improving accuracy and reducing any unnecessary callbacks for further screening.
Our 3D mammogram machines look like a traditional mammography unit, with a platform to position your breast and a compression paddle to assist in clearer imaging. The key difference between the machines is the X-ray arm, which moves in an arc to capture multiple images during your breast test. The exam setup and comfort level are very similar to 2D mammography.
At Ballad Health, screening mammogram results are typically available as soon as possible and can be viewed through your MyChart account or the Ballad Health app. If any follow up is needed, your care team will contact you directly.
Yes. Medicare Part B covers 3D screening mammograms for women aged 40 and older. If your provider accepts Medicare, you typically pay nothing out of pocket for your mammogram screening.