Mammography

A mammogram is the single most important detection tool available for catching breast cancer in its early stages, when it’s easiest to treat. Huggins Hospital offers 3D mammography, the latest in technology to detect breast cancer. 3D mammography can be done in conjunction with a traditional 2D digital mammogram.

During the exam, the x-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over your breast, taking multiple breast images. Then, a computer produces a 3D image of your breast tissue in one millimeter slices, providing greater visibility for the radiologist to see breast detail in a way never before possible. The radiologist can scroll through the individual images of your entire breast like pages of a book.

The additional 3D images make it possible for a radiologist to gain a better understanding of your breast tissue during the screening and the confidence to reduce the need for follow-up imaging.

If you’re concerned about discomfort, however, it may help to know that Huggins provides patients with a MammoPad® that makes the exam more comfortable and trains all staff to be considerate during mammograms. As one woman who recently had her first mammogram wrote to say, "My comfort and confidence was of utmost importance to my technician. It was evident that she enjoys her job. She made an awkward situation comfortable, and for that, I am appreciative."

To schedule a tour of our Women’s Imaging Suite, or to learn more about digital mammography, please call our Medical Imaging Department at 603.569.7529.