Parker County Today April 2016 | Page 60

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 58