In response to the great demand we have had for 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) since first offering it last summer in our South Hills location, we now offer this cutting-edge technology in our Shadyside location.
EXCITING NEWS! In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are having a weekly drawing in each of our offices. It's easy to enter. When you come in for your mammogram in October, drop your name into the designated box and you could win a gift card. Already had your mammogram? OR having it later this year? No problem, just "like" us on Facebook and you will be automatically entered. If you have already "liked" us, just send us a private Facebook message and we will be sure to enter your name. GOOD LUCK!
Cutting-Edge 3D Mammography System Arrives at Weinstein Imaging Associates
Revolutionary Breast Cancer Screening Technology Now Available in South Hills, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA – Women receiving routine mammograms at Weinstein Imaging Associates in South Hills will soon have access to a revolutionary 3D mammography screening tool that will allow physicians to detect cancer earlier through clearer, more detailed images and reduce unnecessary additional testing. The system increases the availability of 3D mammograms in the Pittsburgh area.
With conventional 2D mammography systems, overlapping breast tissue can hide small cancers or alternately can cause normal areas to look suspicious. However, with 3D mammography technology, also known as breast tomosynthesis, radiologists now have the ability to identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue.
“3D mammography has been called a game-changer – the biggest advance in breast cancer screening in 30 years,” said Marcela Böhm-Vélez, M.D., FACR. “We’re thrilled to have this ground-breaking mammography equipment available in our community. 3D mammograms will save and improve women’s lives while also lowering healthcare costs; a win-win for women cared for by Weinstein Imaging Associates.”
With the addition of the 3D technology to the traditional mammogram, radiologists are able to find breast cancers that could be missed using conventional mammography alone. At the same time, fewer patients have to be called back for additional testing. According to a recent Yale-NewHavenHospital study, adding 3D to a screening mammography exam reduced recall rates by 40 percent,[i] thus freeing patients from the anxiety associated with additional testing to rule out breast cancer.
“3D mammography really allows us to look through the breast, millimeter by millimeter, taking away the confusion caused by overlying tissue above and below an area,” explains Thomas S.
Chang , M.D., radiologist at the Women’s Center.
“For the patient, 3D mammography feels much like a regular 2D exam,” Dr. Bohm-Velez adds. “But the added advantage is all the extra information the radiologist gets, which I think is every radiologist’s dream. 3D mammography is particularly useful for women who have a personal or family history of breast cancer and women with dense breasts.”
Hologic’s Selenia Dimensions 3D system has been available in 27 countries on six of the seven continents since its approval in 2010. Domestically, the system was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2011, and Montana marks the 45th state to have access to the technology. With the Hologic 3D system, an examination takes only seconds longer than a conventional two-dimensional digital mammogram. The system is approved for use in the same clinical indications as 2D mammography, including breast cancer screening and diagnosis.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States, exceeded only by lung cancer. One in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s chance of survival; if detected early, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent. Doctors and scientists agree that early detection is the best defense against breast cancer. Until now, the best way to ensure early detection has been with digital mammography.
The Hologic 3D breast mammography system is the latest generation of mammography equipment from Hologic, a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostic products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women throughout the world.
About Weinstein Imaging Associates
At Weinstein Imaging Associates, our mission is to provide quality, innovative medical imaging with attention to personalized patient care. We are dedicated to the compassionate and dignified treatment of every patient. We strive to promote healthier lives within our communities by addressing both the complete physical and emotional needs of our patients.
Our commitment to provide quality imaging services to the people of this region is as strong today as it was when we opened our doors in 1980.
Women wishing to schedule a mammogram or have questions about this important breast health procedure, please contact Diana Florian at florian@weinsteinimaging.com or (412)-440-6999.
We did it again!!! Weinstein Imaging participated in the landmark study ACRIN 6666 which demonstrated that ultrasound and MRI can detect additional breast cancer.
