Mammography for breast cancer screening goes 3-D

Mammography for breast cancer is currently based on 2-D imaging. In a new study, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) used a 3-D technique in older women (at least 65 years old) and showed that this 3-D process called tomosynthesis has the potential to detect cancer more accurately and at an earlier stage than 2-D imaging. The percentage of women called back for additional imaging was also lower with tomosynthesis than with conventional 2-D mammography. Since tomosynthesis is still a relatively new technology, more research is needed to determine its impact on long-term patient outcomes, Dr. Bahl said.