Two area health care providers are among those now offering 3-D mammography, also known as breast tomosynthesis.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center started offering advanced 3-D mammography technology at five NHRMC Health & Diagnostic locations Sept. 28. The service is also currently available from Delaney Radiologists, a Wilmington-based imaging group serving southeastern North Carolina.

A 3-D mammography scan works by capturing multiple images from several angles, giving doctors a layer-by-layer view of breast tissue, which allows masses and distortions associated with breast cancers to be seen more clearly.

“We are excited to bring this technology to our patients. NHRMC is committed to the early detection of breast cancer and state-of-the-art care, and 3D mammography allows us to provide effective and high-quality imaging that patients deserve and expect,” David Parks, NHRMC vice president of cardiac and clinical support services, said in a news release.

3-D mammography is the latest technology in breast cancer screening and has demonstrated the potential to improve breast cancer detection rates, particularly in women with dense breasts, according to a Delaney Radiologists news release.

A study in the American Journal of Radiology showed that tomosynthesis has improved the detection of invasive aggressive breast cancers up to 41 percent, with a 29 percent increase in the detection of all breast cancers. 

With traditional mammograms, known as 2-D digital mammography, it can be difficult to differentiate between cancer and dense breast tissue, officials said.

Adam Braithwaite, a specialist in breast imaging for Delaney Radiologists, said in the release that an idea of what the technology can do may be formed by considering the differences between a chest X-ray and CT scan.

“When we look at an X-ray image, the images of the heart, lung, skin and bones all overlap and small lung nodules can hide. With a chest CT, we can look at these structures from the inside – slice by slice – and detect even the smallest cancer,” Braithwaite said. 

He said 3-D mammography “separates tissues and reduces overlapping of structures, resulting in improved cancer detection and reduced call-back rates for benign findings.”

3-D mammography digital tomosynthesis is performed at the same time as a traditional 2-D mammogram, on the same machine with no noticeable difference in the experience.

NHRMC officials pointed out that patients would have access to 3-D mammography and 2-D mammography if they request it, adding that Medicare covers the cost of 3-D screening mammography. Patients with commercial insurance were advised to contact their insurance provider to determine if their plan covers the service.

At NHRMC facilities offering 3-D mammography, patients whose insurance does not cover the interpretation, and who meet certain financial criteria, may be eligible to receive assistance from the NHRMC Foundation Pink Ribbon Project.