Beginning January 1, 2017, legislation took effect in Connecticut that requires insurance companies to cover a more advanced form of mammography – 3D breast tomosynthesis. The state now requires insurers to cover the 3D exam upon the patient’s request. Under existing law, policies must cover baseline mammograms for women ages 35 to 39, and annual mammograms for women 40 and older. You should contact your insurance provider for specific information about coverage through your plan.
Improved Image Quality
The 3D systems in our offices were developed by Hologic (a company with offices in nearby Danbury) With a 3D mammogram the digital camera moves in an arc over the breast to acquire images at multiple angles. The individual images are then reconstructed into a series of thin, high-resolution slices, typically 1mm thick. The set of tomosynthesis images provides a means of viewing the breast tissue in addition to conventional 2D mammography. 3D tomosynthesis allows the separation of overlapping breast tissue structures in the breast, which leads to better visualization through normal breast tissue and the potential for improved detection of abnormalities. The addition of 3D images to conventional 2D images also provides improved clarity for both fatty and dense breasts compared to 2D alone.
Reduced Radiation Dose
The Hologic systems in use at Advanced Radiology provide maximum flexibility and potential for reduced radiation through the use of proprietary C-View 3D Mammography. Systems equipped with C-View can obtain digital 2D mammograms, 3D tomosynthesis images, and have the ability to produce a synthesized 2D mammogram from the 3D Tomosynthesis images. This ability eliminates the need to obtain an additional 2D image, and avoids the added radiation dose associated with that image. With the use of C-View, cancer detection and other clinical benefits of 3D mammography are available at a radiation dose comparable to standard 2D digital imaging, and at about half the dose of 2D plus 3D imaging common among other providers. This also means shorter exam times and increased patient comfort.
Increased Detection with Fewer False Positives
In a one-year evaluation of 12,631 screening examinations in which participants were imaged with both 2D and 3D mammography, researchers reported:
- Invasive cancer detection increased 40%
- Cancer detection increased 27%
- False positive results decreased 15%
3D Breast Tomosynthesis at Advanced Radiology
Advanced Radiology has used 3D technology since 2015, first in our Advanced Women’s Imaging Center in Trumbull, gradually adding it to our Stamford and Stratford offices, with our most recent installation in Fairfield in December 2016.
We also attribute the recent update to our mammography protocol for breast cancer survivors largely to improvements in image quality provided by 3D mammography.
According to Hologic, there is also a growing body of evidence that 3D mammography has the potential to reduce the number of exposures needed for diagnostic imaging and provide other diagnostic benefits, including enhanced performance in assessing tumor size and stage and more clearly demonstrating margins and extent of lesions.
Ongoing Improvements in Mammography
Simply put, the Hologic 3D tomosynthesis systems with C-View technology currently in use at Advanced Radiology provide:
- Clearer, more detailed images
- Increased detection capability
- Reduced radiation dose compared to previous 3D systems
- Significant reduction of false positive results on screening mammograms
As screening and diagnostic technologies continue to improve, Advanced radiology will continue to evaluate the needs of our patients and their doctors, and provide them with the most advanced tools, the most experienced physicians, and the most knowledgeable and efficient technologists, all in a convenient and comfortable setting.