October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: San Antonio Radiologist Suzanne Dabbous Offers 3D Technology for Improved Mammograms
San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) October 17, 2014 -- What: Research recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (June 2014) demonstrates the potential for 3D mammography (Digital Breast Tomosynthesis) to improve breast cancer screening. This is the latest study to shine positive light on 3D mammography, a highly advanced breast cancer diagnostic tool that improves the clarity and reliability of mammogram results. Researchers determined that combined with conventional mammography, 3D mammography was able to reduce recall rates (the number of patients asked to return for more testing after a screening mammogram) and improve breast cancer detection. “There was remarkably consistent improvement in measured screening outcomes when 3D mammography was implemented,” researchers wrote.
Avestée Imaging Center was one of the first centers in San Antonio to offer 3D mammograms as part of its comprehensive breast imaging services. Unlike other facilities in the area, there is no additional cost for 3D mammography at Avestee Women’s Imaging Center.
Who: Avestée founder Dr. Suzanne Dabbous is a Board Certified Radiologist who brings a unique imaging perspective to breast imaging. As a General Surgery intern at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, she was able to see firsthand the full spectrum of breast cancer treatment from surgery through radiation/chemo and reconstruction. Trained in mammography at the Komen Breast Center, Dr. Dabbous has chosen to focus her practice on women’s imaging. Because of her strong belief that every woman should have access to this more reliable test, the price of a 3D mammogram is the same as a traditional 2D mammogram at Avestée. Every woman who gets a mammogram at Avestée receives a 3D mammogram and the price is the same as what they would pay for a traditional 2D screening.
Why: There are many similarities between a 2D/3D combination mode mammogram and the 2D digital mammogram, but a 2D/3D mammogram is a more accurate mammogram for all breast types, dense and not dense. They take almost the same amount of time, the machine looks the same, and the patient's breast is compressed in the same number of positions. The big difference is that the 3D mammogram collects images as the machine makes a quick arc over the patient’s breast tissue. These images are then reconstructed into a data set allowing the radiologist to examine the breast tissue in 1 mm slices. This 3D visibility effectively removes summation artifact (harmless objects such as glandular tissue and blood vessels which can resemble cancer when photographically superimposed) from the breast imaging equation. Summation artifact is the leading cause for call back exams. 3D breast screening has been shown to increase the detection of invasive breast cancer when compared to 2d mammograms alone in recent trials and 3D breast screening is particularly effective for women who have dense breast tissue.
Where: Avestée Women’s Imaging Center, conveniently located at 303 W. Sunset Road in San Antonio, opened in April 2013. In addition to screening and diagnostic mammogram services. Avestée also offers breast ultrasounds, a full spectrum of body imaging services, ultrasound services, ultrasound guided biopsy and bone density studies. The facility accepts most major commercial insurance, HMO/PPO plans, Medicare, and other government sponsored health coverage, and can be reached at (210) 826-2666 or [email protected].
To schedule an interview with Dr.Dabbous, please contact:
Melinda Hart
210 824 3433
[email protected]
Melinda Hart, Melinda Hart PR, +1 (210) 824-3433, [email protected]
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