3-D Mammography

LEARN ABOUT OUR BREAST HEALTH PROGRAM

Why 3-D Breast Screening Is More Accurate

2-D mammography typically takes two X-rays of each breast from different angles—from side-to-side and top-to-bottom. The breast is stretched and compressed. This compression causes overlapping of the breast tissue, which can sometimes hide a breast cancer. Mammograms take a single picture across the entire breast.

Whereas 2-D mammography produces just a single picture of each breast, 3-D mammography takes multiple pictures of each breast from many angles. During the imaging session, an X-ray tube moves in an arc around the breast, taking a volume set of images in a matter of seconds. The breast radiology specialist then reviews the clear, highly focused images of the breast tissue, layer by layer.

The images below show the difference between a 2-D and 3-D mammogram of the same region. The tumor is obvious on the 3-D view and could easily be missed on the 2-D view.

Quality You Can Trust

In addition to receiving some of the highest scores possible by the American College of Radiology (ACR), our Breast Imaging Centers in Walnut Creek and Concord have also been designated as Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence—the highest award given to breast imaging centers by ACR.

How To Schedule a 3-D Breast Screening

Use MyChart to schedule online or schedule a breast screening by calling our centralized scheduling center at (925) 952-2701.

You or your doctor can also schedule at any of our locations by calling our centralized scheduling phone number (925) 952-2701 or fax number (925) 941-4065.

Please note that all breast screens require a doctor's order. Need a doctor? Find a Doctor now.

Contact your health insurance carrier directly to find out if this service is covered by your health plan.