HOUSTON – New revolutionary technology is putting more women at ease while detecting tiny tumors that otherwise would have been missed.
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Wife and mother of three, Cheryl Lasater has been getting mammograms regularly over the last five years, so when she was offered a new 3D scan, she thought, why not?
"If I'm going to have to go through a mammogram, let's get the best, highest level of technology that we can," Lasater said.
Within days, she was called in for a biopsy.
"It did come back cancer," Lasater said.
Lasater had two small tumors, one 9 mm and the 4 mm, each stage one.
Since it was caught so early, the tumors were removed using reconstructive surgery. No chemo, no radiation.
"I am so very fortunate and blessed," Lasater said.
Breast radiologist Dr. Stephen Rose was the principal investigator for clinical trials on breast tomosynthesis, 3D imaging technology.
"My strong belief is that this will replace the standard screening mammography for everyone," Rose said.
The 3D mammogram feels the same as a conventional 2D scan, maybe a hair faster, but it enables doctors to see inside the breast like never before.
"In the past, if you made a subtle finding on the mammogram, the likelihood was that it very probably ... was nothing. A subtle finding on 3D mammography has a high probably of being very significant."
Rose added that he's seen false positive rates reduced by as much as 50 percent.
"Now women in their 40s have more reason than ever to get their mammogram and they're the ones that need it every year," Rose said.
The FDA approved tomosynthesis in February. It is not yet covered by insurance, so at the Memorial Hermann Breast Care Centers, patients are billed for 2D exams and asked to pay $50 out of pocket for 3D.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 877-40-MAMMO.