3-D mammo

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msjag
msjag Member Posts: 416
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Has anyone had the newer 3-D mammo's, new to UMASS in MA, Breast Center, it was explained to me that it can look at layers of the breast. Being someone who has dense breasts, and has to get an MRI every six months, I thought this was great!!  I asked about level's of radiation, and no different that 2-D digital.  This was my two year mark after chemo, rads, lx , and so far so good!!

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  • JSwan
    JSwan Member Posts: 81
    edited October 2012

    I had one on Friday.  Both my breast surgeon and the imaging center said I would benefit from it.  It was just like a regular mammogram except that for some of the compressions the machine moved around and there were two "hold your breath" instructions.

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  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited October 2012

    yep, same here!!

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  • Bar65
    Bar65 Member Posts: 20
    edited October 2012

    I had the 3- D mammo after having suspicious areas on an MRI (which I had requested because regular mammo's are super painful for me because of dense breasts).  I don't want to scare anyone, but the 3-D mammo didn't show my cancer nor did the ultrasound.  Thank goodness I got the MRI. 

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  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited October 2012

    Good info to have Bar, my onc sends me to an mri once a year, and a mammo once a year so I'm checked every six months incase one doesn't pick up something.  THe 3-D was from the same digital machine that does 2-D digital, just now they add the hold your breathing sequences and 3-D images.  I too have dense breasts, and one radiated/chemo/lx breast  and I have to say this was the first time my mammo didn't hurt!! Tech states, unless you've recently had surgery/rads...a mammo shouldn't hurt...OK...now they tell us!! haha!

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited November 2012

    I'm glad I found you guys. I'm going to a new facility (we moved) and they have the 3D mammo's available. From what I see, there are more advantages to it. I called my insurance company to see if it was covered. The facility I'm going to said the insurance companies aren't paying for the 3D but the hospital takes what the ins. pays  as payment.

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  • Jazzygirl
    Jazzygirl Member Posts: 12,533
    edited December 2012

    Hello

    I had my first 3D mammo this year as part of my yearly screening. I understand this is still not widely available yet, but encouraging my friends and family to ask their imaging centers if they have this. Insurance may or may not pay for it, I had to pay a $60 suppliment out of pocket. The invasive cancer found in my left breast was found with this. MRI found the DCIS in the other side. The images were far better than anything I have seen previously.

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  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited December 2012

    A few more imaging centers in central MA have the 3-D available now.  My friends onc told her it emits more radiation than 2-D, I was told it didn't, I'm going to check on that.  My appt with my onc is next thurs, so she will have already attended the San Antonio (I believe its still there) yearly conference and will report the latest when I see her!!  I certainly will share if I hear anything new about 3-D.

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited December 2012

    Just had my 3D mammo. I was surprised how clear the images were. Had to have spot compressions and ultrasound. Guess they are being very careful. I thought they only used mild compression but the tech that did mine cranked that sucker till it hurt.

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  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited December 2012

    My onc told me at my appt this week that she insisted on a 3-D mammo...more cancer centers/imaging centers should be coming out with them.

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