{"id":6857,"date":"2023-09-05T14:00:22","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T18:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pockethealthqa.wpengine.com\/?p=6857"},"modified":"2025-10-20T09:48:58","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T13:48:58","slug":"3d-mammogram-breast-screening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pockethealth.com\/patient-resources\/3d-mammogram-breast-screening\/","title":{"rendered":"3D Mammogram: Who Needs One, What to Expect and More"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mammograms<\/a> have been an important screening and diagnostic method for years. Most people are familiar with them, but 3D mammograms are a little different. This guide will discuss what makes this imaging technique unique, who benefits most from it and what to expect during the scan.<\/p>\n

What is a 3D mammogram?<\/h2>\n
\"3D

A simplified example of how a 3D mammogram image is built using many image slices taken at different angles, sourced from the National Cancer Institute<\/a> via National Institutes of Health Image Gallery<\/a>.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

A mammogram is an X-ray that uses a very low radiation dose to examine breast tissue. These images can reveal any abnormal changes before they can be felt in a traditional breast exam.<\/p>\n

In a 3D mammogram, the X-ray moves in an arc over the breast, taking multiple pictures from several different angles. Those images, called slices, are combined, providing a more complete view of the breast and making it easier to spot any irregularities. 3D mammograms are highly effective. A 2023 study of more than 1 million women<\/a> showed that they led both to a higher rate of cancer detection and a lower rate of recalls for further imaging.<\/p>\n

2D vs 3D mammograms: what is the difference?<\/h2>\n
\"A

A 2D mammogram image<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

A traditional 2D mammogram provides 2 images of each breast (from the top and the side). 3D mammograms provide hundreds of thinly sliced images, which come together to create a highly detailed 3D view of the whole breast.<\/p>\n

Mammograms are also the only way to assess breast density, which is important because dense breasts<\/a> have increased cancer risks and can make abnormalities harder to spot. 3D mammograms are more effective for dense breasts because physicians can see the dense areas from several different angles.<\/p>\n

A traditional 2D mammogram presents two overlapping images. That overlap can obscure potential abnormalities, causing them to be missed at the earliest stages. It\u2019s also possible for overlapping tissue to make benign spots look abnormal, which then requires you to have further imaging done for clarification.<\/p>\n

Who needs a 3D mammogram?<\/h2>\n

Some patients may benefit more from a 3D mammogram instead of a 2D one, especially if they have a higher risk of or history of breast cancer. Some advantages include:<\/p>\n