Newport Hospital launches 3-D breast mammography

NEWPORT – Digital breast tomosynthesis, more commonly called 3-D mammography, is now available at Newport Hospital. By taking multiple three-dimensional images of breasts in layers, 3-D mammography allow physicians to better evaluate a patient and improve the identification of tumors. This technology is integral in detecting cancer early and decreasing both false positive diagnoses and the number of necessary diagnostic mammograms, the hospital reported in a statement.

“As a breast imaging Center of Excellence, Newport Hospital is committed to providing the latest innovations in women’s health care,” Crista F. Durand, Newport Hospital’s president, said in the statement. “By producing more accurate images, tomosynthesis helps to pinpoint the size and location of any abnormality, making this technology a critical benefit to our patients.”

The 3-D mammogram is available as a diagnostic and screening tool for all women, including those whose dense breasts make detecting breast cancer through traditional mammograms more difficult.
BankNewport’s leadership gift was instrumental in the hospital’s acquisition of the tomosynthesis mammography equipment, Loriana De Crescenzo, Newport Hospital’s chief development officer, said. “The women’s imaging section of radiology at Newport Hospital is one of only four American College of Radiology accredited Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence recognized in Rhode Island. [This purchase enables] us to maintain our standing as one of the state’s top women’s imaging centers.”

Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States and remains the second leading cause of cancer death among women overall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. In 2-D mammography, breast cancers may be hidden behind normal breast tissues and shadows can create false positives. In recent studies, tomosynthesis found 1.3 cancers per 1,000 examinations not found by conventional mammography. It also reduced callbacks for diagnostic mammograms by 20 percent on average and as much as 30 percent in some studies.

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For more information about tomosynthesisis, which is available at Newport Hospital and Portsmouth Imaging Center, call (401) 444-7770.

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