Dr. Lehman on 3D Mammography in Screening for Breast Cancer

Constance D. Lehman, MD, PhD, professor of Radiology, chief of Breast Imaging, Department of Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, discusses how 3D mammography has been an efficient and beneficial screening tool in the field of breast cancer.

3D mammography, also known as tomosynthesis, should be considered as the new and standard mammogram, Lehman explains. This technology takes three-dimensional views—described as thin slices—of the breast. The strongest impact of this tool is that there are lower recall rates for patients, she adds.

Some evidence suggests that this screening tool can also detect hidden cancers between dense breast tissue. However, it is important to properly educate radiation oncologists on 3D mammography, Lehman says.