Book Your 3-D Mammogram Online!
Women cannot hear it enough – early detection is one of the keys to beating breast cancer because when it is caught early, the cancer is much more treatable. Mammography is the first line of defense in the fight against breast cancer. Now you can book your 3-D mammogram online.
3-D Mammograms
Penn Highlands Healthcare offers mammograms throughout Pennsylvania. Each of the health system’s mammography sites offer state-of-the-art tomosynthesis – more commonly called 3-D mammography. While these mammograms essentially feel the same as the traditional 2-D ones, the 3-D technology gives the radiologist a more detailed view of the breast. It actually provides images of the breast in “slices” from many different angles.
“The images show the inner structure of the breast one slice at a time without the overlapping tissues which can hide small and sometimes large masses,” said Natalie Furgiuele, MD, FACS, a board-certified surgeon and the Director of the Penn Highlands Mon Valley Breast Program. “A 3-D mammogram is similar to opening a book and reading every line on every page.”
There are other benefits of 3-D tomosynthesis including:
- Radiologists can target the size, shape and precise location of a suspicious image.
- Women experience fewer callbacks for additional images which in turn reduces anxiety.
- Suspicious lesions that may cause concern on traditional 2-D mammograms can be ruled out as benign or non-cancerous since the tissue layers are shown independently.
- Fewer biopsies and additional tests are needed.
- Multiple breast tumors can be detected.
Breast Density Technology
Penn Highlands Healthcare has expanded our commitment to early breast cancer detection with the implementation of software that enhances patient care. Each of our breast imaging facilities throughout Pennsylvania utilize robust breast density assessment technology that detects cancer in women with dense breasts. The use of Volpara Scorecard enables the breast screening team to measure breast density and assess a woman’s individual risk of breast cancer and help identify those who might benefit from additional screening.
Approximately 50% of women of screening age have dense breasts. High breast density is an important independent risk factor for developing breast cancer, and cancer can hide in dense breasts. Both dense breast tissue and cancer appear white on a mammogram, making it harder to identify cancer in dense breasts.
“This new technology has been a great addition to our breast program,” said Suzanne Iorfido, DO, Chief of Breast Imaging for Penn Highlands Healthcare. “Our software gives patients more information regarding their breast health and how to best undergo optimal annual screening, which may include annual ultrasound and MRI in addition to mammography.”
Book Online
Penn Highlands Healthcare makes it even easier to schedule your screening mammogram – now you can book online in Northwest and Central Pennsylvania. There are many benefits to online scheduling including:
- Women enjoy the convenience of booking their screening mammograms from anywhere at any time.
- It is a fast and efficient process that can be completed in just a few clicks.
- The process is transparent, allowing users to see all available appointments enabling them to choose the one that best fits their schedule.
- Empowering patients to take charge of their preventive care by making it easy to book their screening mammogram.
Women can schedule a screening mammogram simply by visiting the Penn Highlands Healthcare website and selecting the “Book Your Mammogram Online!" link.
To book online and learn more about Penn Highlands Healthcare’s mammography services click here: