APRIL 2016
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
Continued from page 37
the same time and using the same
scanner. “Essentially it takes the
very small ‘slices’ through the different angles of the breast tissue.
The different angles can then be
reconstructed into a 3D model.
When the radiologist is looking at
the reconstructed images they can
get a more real-time look at any
areas of concern,” said Schneider.
“You will still be positioned similar
to your traditional screening. It
literally just takes 10 more seconds
of holding still,” she added. The
hospital also uses special mammo
pads to help soften the compression necessary for screening.
The 3D imaging is most beneficial for women with dense breast
tissue. “Women with denser breast
tissue are more likely to get called
back for a possible diagnostic
exam,” Schneider said. “A diagnostic exam is going to include additional views with a different compression paddle to spread out the
area that they need to look at and
magnify it more. It could include
the involvement of an ultrasound
to diagnose any mass in the breast
tissue. A diagnostic exam is also
necessary if something is noticed
on your screening mammogram,”
she continued. A patient can learn
if her breasts are dense by asking
her physician or the radiologist
who performs her routine mammogram. Other reasons a 3D mammogram would be recommended is if
the patient has a strong family history of breast cancer or has a history of fibrocystic changes in their
breasts. The mammogram suite
has daily availability for routine
screening as well as the additional
3D technology. The hospital’s radiologists read the results and report
back to the patients in as little as a
week depending on the availability
of comparative test results from
previous mammograms. “We are
very glad to be able to offer another option for women in Parker
County,” said Schneider.
Smash parties have been introduced by the hospital to make your
routine mammogram screening if
not fun at least an opportunity to
spend time with your girlfriends
and have an important test completed together. They have hosted
four of these parties in the past
year and admit that, “It’s probably
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