What Women Should Know About 2D and 3D Screening Mammograms

Let’s face it, you probably won’t ever “enjoy” your annual screening mammograms for breast cancer, but they are critical for early detection. Our San Antonio OBGYNs and staff encourage women with an average risk for breast cancer to start having yearly mammograms at age 40. Women who have a high risk should talk to our physicians about their screening needs. At our office, we offer two different kinds of mammography: 2D and 3D.

What to expect during your mammogram

Whether you have a 2D or 3D mammogram, our staff performs your test in the same way and in the same amount of time. You undress from the waist up and put on a gown that opens in the front. As you stand in front of the mammography equipment, the radiology technologist places one breast at a time on the breast support plate. She lowers the plastic paddle down to compress your breast tissue for about three to five seconds while the machine X-rays your breasts.

Most women find the procedure slightly uncomfortable, while some women find it to be more painful. Talk to our San Antonio OBGYNs about over-the-counter medications you can take to help with discomfort during the test. Each image only takes a few seconds, and the pain is minor and manageable for almost everyone.

What is the difference between 2D and 3D screening mammograms?

Since our technicians perform 2D and 3D screening mammograms for breast cancer in the same way, what is the difference between the two types?

• 2D digital mammograms take two or more images of your breast — at least one from side to side and one from top to bottom — that the radiologist can view on a computer.
• 3D mammograms, or digital breast tomosynthesis, take several images that a computer melds together, creating a three-dimensional picture of your breasts. It also creates two-dimensional images. 3D mammograms are particularly beneficial for women who have dense breast tissue.

Talk to our physicians about which type of mammogram they recommend for you.

See our San Antonio OBGYNs yearly for breast cancer prevention and early detection

Annual screening mammograms help our OBGYNs detect cancer in the earliest, most treatable stages. Contact us today to schedule your annual wellness visit and mammogram. It’s so important to take care of yourself and your good health.