CAMC Breast Center introduces 3-D mammograms at open house

KANAWHA CITY, W.Va. — Doctors at Charleston Area Medical Center’s Breast Center are now using 3-D mammograms to better evaluate breast tissue.

“This new technology allows us to see better through those dense breasts and the tissue, so that we can find cancers even earlier than routine conventional 2-D mammography,” said Melissa Bohan, the nurse manager of the Breast Center, following an open house held at the center in Kanawha City Thursday.

The 3-D X-rays, also called breast tomosynthesis, were introduced at CAMC in May. Bohan said the new screening allows them to get a better picture of breast tissue.

“It slices the tissue into different slices like if you’re slicing a loaf of bread, rather than trying to see through a thick amount of tissue,” she said.

Bohan said a woman’s breast is positioned and compressed the same way as a 2-D mammogram and takes less than 10 seconds longer to complete.

“This is really good for those that are high risk patients that may have a strong family history or have had breast cancer in the past,” she said. “It also is really good for ladies with dense breasts.”

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, 2014 studies have indicated that 3-D mammography, combined with 2-D mammography, provides a 41 percent increase in the detection of invasive breast cancers, compared to 2-D alone.

The Breast Cancer is the only facility, other than Huntington, who offers 3-D mammograms throughout West Virginia.

“The preventative and the screening tools we have here can keep patients from having to go outside. We have it all right here and in one building, which is even better,” Bohan said.

Bohan said the new mammograms are available every day for any patient that requests it. No specific order is required.

To schedule a 3-D mammogram, contact the CAMC Breast Center at (304)-388-9677.