Wom­en’s Imaging

Besides being quicker, more comfortable, and easier than most women realize, a mammogram is nothing to be scared of. The results are empowering, and early detection saves lives.

Onslow Memorial and most physician groups recommend women 40 and over (and those at higher risk) get a mammogram annually. Just like regular exercise and good nutrition, routine screenings can keep you healthy and reduce your risk for breast cancer and maybe even save your life.

Onslow Memorial is proud to offer the latest technology in fighting breast cancer: 3-D mammography. This technology can detect breast cancers earlier and through denser tissues than traditional mammograms, ultimately providing greater visibility of detail for radiologists. 3-D mammography also detects 41% more invasive cancers than conventional 2-D mammography alone and provides for up to a 40% reduction in recall rates compared to 2-D mammography. Best of all, a 3-D mammogram is now covered by many insurers. Ask your physician if a 3-D mammogram might be right for you.

Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women. It also is the second-leading cancer killer of women, after lung cancer. Every woman has a chance of getting breast cancer. About 1-in-8 women will learn she has the disease at some point in her life. On the local level, breast cancer rates in North Carolina are among the highest in the country. It sounds scary, but today most women with breast cancer survive it with regular screenings and early detection.

Onsloe Supports Annual Screening Mammograms for Women Ages 40-and-Above

• Every major medical organization with expertise in breast cancer care recommends yearly mammograms beginning at forty, including: American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Cancer Society, American College of Radiology, American Society of Breast Disease, and Society of Breast Imaging
• 1-in-6 breast cancers occur in women aged 40-49
• 40% of patient years-of-life saved by mammography are for women aged 40-49
• Since mammogram screenings became widespread in 1990s, breast cancer deaths are down 30%
• In Onslow County, only around 65% of females over 40 reported having a mammogram, which is lower than all peer county rates and the rates for NC overall (68%)
• 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of it and aren't considered a risk
• Most major insurance companies cover annual screening mammograms after 40

One of the ways to protect yourself is through a Breast Self-Exam. A self-exam is when a woman physically and visually examines herself for any changes in her breasts and underarm areas.

However, self-exams should not be used in the place of, but should be done in addition to, clinical breast examination (performed by a health care provider every three years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women ages 40 and older) and mammography.

3-D mammography is a revolutionary new screening and diagnostic tool designed for early breast cancer detection that can be done in conjunction with a traditional 2-D digital mammogram.

During the 3-D part of the exam, the X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over your breast, taking multiple breast images. Then, a computer produces a 3-D image of your breast tissue in one millimeter slices, providing greater visibility for the radiologist to see breast detail in a way never before possible. They can scroll through images of your entire breast like pages of a book.

The additional 3-D images make it possible for a radiologist to gain a better understanding of your breast tissue during screening and the confidence to reduce the need for follow-up imaging.

With conventional digital mammography, the radiologist is viewing all the complexities of your breast tissue in one flat image. Sometimes breast tissue can overlap, giving the illusion of normal breast tissue looking like an abnormal area.

By looking at the breast tissue in one millimeter slices, the radiologist can provide a more confident assessment. In this way, 3-D mammography detects 41% more invasive cancers than conventional 2-D mammography. It also means there is a 40% lesser chance your doctor will call you back later for a "second look," because now they can see breast tissue more clearly.

A 3-D mammography complements standard 2-D mammography and is performed at the same time with the same system. There is no additional compression required, and it only takes a few more seconds longer for each view.

It is approved for all women who would be undergoing a standard mammogram, in both the screening and diagnostic settings. It should be the new standard screening tool for all women, not just for those who have a family history of breast cancer.

Since the technology is so new, not all insurances currently cover 3-D mammograms. We ask that patients please make sure they're approved before scheduling their mammogram by contacting their doctor or insurance provider.

Yes, please contact your doctor to see how you can get a 3-D mammogram at your next screening?