Westerly Hospital Now Offers Patients 3-D Tomosynthesis Mammography

Westerly Hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging department recently added yet another breast cancer screening tool to its arsenal. In addition to offering Breast MRI, Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound, and Stereotactic Breast Biopsy, Westerly Hospital now offers its patients 3-D Tomosynthesis Mammography, an advanced type of mammogram that provides a more precise image than traditional 2-D mammography.

Women with dense breast tissue in particular benefit from 3-D mammography because it gives a clearer picture, allowing a physician to catch breast cancer early, and reducing the chances of seeing a false positive; however, women notice little difference between 3-D mammography and traditional screenings.

Rhode Island and Connecticut state law currently requires physicians to inform patients of their breast density and have a discussion about the benefits of adding supplemental screening options such as 3-D mammography to a woman’s comprehensive breast screening program.

According to Daniel C. Diffin, MD, Radiologist, “A 3-D exam is approved for all women who would undergo a standard mammogram. Multiple clinical studies show that all women, regardless of breast type density, benefit from a 3-D exam.”

Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH), part of Yale New Haven Health, is a nationally recognized, 1,541-bed, not-for-profit hospital serving as the primary teaching hospital for the Yale School of Medicine (YSM). Founded as the fourth voluntary hospital in the U.S. in 1826, today, YNHH has two New Haven-based campuses, and also includes Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital and Smilow Cancer Hospital. YNHH has received Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor of nursing excellence. YNHH has a combined medical staff of about 4,500 university and community physicians practicing in more than 100 specialties. www.ynhh.org