New 3D Mammography at Emanuel Cancer Center May Lead to Earlier Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Turlock, Calif. – The Emanuel Cancer Center is now offering 3D mammography (breast tomosynthesis) for breast cancer screening. Breast cancer screening with tomosynthesis when combined with a conventional 2D mammography has a 40 percent higher invasive cancer detection rate than conventional 2D mammography alone.

The new 3D Mammography system is conveniently located at the Ruby E. Bergman Women’s Diagnostic Center inside the Emanuel Cancer Center’s beautiful, spa-like facility (880 E. Tuolumne Road in Turlock). Patients will receive their mammogram at the diagnostic center, instead of the main hospital facility.

The new Genius 3D Mammography system with Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) offers exceptionally sharp breast images, and an advanced design providing more patient comfort. The ground-breaking tomosynthesis platform is designed to deliver superior screening and diagnostic performance for all breast types. It produces a three-dimensional view of the breast tissue that helps radiologists identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue.

Breast tomosynthesis has the potential to benefit all screening and diagnostic mammography patients and is especially valuable for women receiving a baseline screening, those who have dense breast tissue and/or women with a personal history of breast cancer.

“The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s chance of survival,” said Lani Dickinson, CEO of Emanuel Medical Center. “We are thrilled to offer this advanced technology that improves breast cancer detection rates and reduces the number of false positives. By offering advanced technology in mammography, we hope to increase the number of women in the area who will come for routine screenings.”

The tomosynthesis screening experience is similar to a traditional mammogram. During the exam, multiple, low-dose images of the breast are acquired at different angles. These images are then used to produce a series of one-millimeter thick slices that can be viewed as a 3D reconstruction of the breast.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics indicate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent.

The Emanuel Cancer Center is committed to the fight against breast cancer. If you would like to schedule a mammogram, or have questions about this important breast health procedure, please call 209-664-5168 or visit www.EmanuelMedicalCenter.org.