Study: 3D mammography finds significantly more invasive cancers and reduces unnecessary recalls
Hollywood, FL — The results of a large, retrospectives study which are being published today in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) show that 3D mammography—also called tomosynthesis—finds significantly more invasive cancers and reduces unnecessary recalls. Memorial Healthcare System was one of 13 sites nationwide to participate in the study. “This study confirms what we already know — 3D mammography finds more of the invasive, harmful cancers we want to find and, at the same time, saves women the anxiety and expense of having additional tests for what often turn out to be false alarms,” explained Dr. Mary Hayes, director of Women’s Imaging, Memorial Healthcare System. “We were proud to participate in such an important study.” The study focused on the impact of 3D mammography on nearly a half of a million women throughout a diverse range of sites across the United States. It was led by Dr. Sarah Friedenwald at Advocate Lutheran Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. Key findings included: • 41% increase in invasive cancer detected with 3D mammography • 15% decrease in unnecessary recalls for false alarms In 2008, Memorial Healthcare System became the first facility to use tomosynthesis mammography in the state of Florida. In addition, MHS was one of eight nationwide hospitals that participated in the research that lead to FDA approval in 2011. Currently, 3D Tomosynthesis mammography is offered at our four Women’s Imaging Centers: Memorial Regional Hospital, Memorial Regional Hospital South, Memorial Hospital West and Memorial Hospital Miramar. “Women experience little difference between a conventional 2D mammogram and 3D imaging,” said Dr. Hayes.