Florida Hospital Tampa To Soon Offer 3D Mammograms

This fall, women will be able to take advantage of new 3D breast cancer detection technology.

Florida Hospital Tampa will begin offering tomosynthesis (3D mammography) breast-screening technology to patients Sept. 1.  

Prior to launching the new service at the Florida Hospital Tampa Breast Care Center, hospital staff and physicians got a sneak peek at the new technology when the Hologic mobile coach visited the hospital June 26.

Breast tomosynthesis helps radiologists identify and characterize individual breast structures in 1-millimeter slices without the confusion of overlapping tissue, leading a clearer image for diagnosis. 

“We are dedicated to comprehensive breast care. This new technology is a breakthrough in women’s health and makes it easier for doctors to see if there’s anything to be concerned about," said Alan Schneider, vice president of Outpatient Services for Florida Hospital Tampa. "It also increases the rate of detection by 30 to 50 percent while reducing the need for patient callbacks by 30 to 40 percent,” 

The hospital will be using the Selenia Dimensions breast tomosynthesis system, which is made by Hologic, a world leader in digital mammography. The Selenia Dimensions system offers exceptionally sharp breast images, and the advanced design enhances patient comfort. 

The ground-breaking tomosynthesis platform is designed to deliver superior screening and diagnostic performance. That is important since breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women, exceeded only by lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.  

By offering women the latest technology in mammography, Florida Hospital Tampa hopes to increase the number of women who will be screened, and ultimately save more lives through early detection. 

Breast cancer screening with tomosynthesis, when combined with a conventional 2D mammography, has a higher cancer detection rate than conventional 2D mammography alone. 3D mammography captures multiple slices of the breast, all at different angles. The images are brought together to create a crystal-clear 3D reconstruction of the breast. 

The radiologist is then able to review the reconstruction, one thin slice at a time, almost like turning pages in a book. That makes it easier to see problem areas and there’s less chance for a cancer to hide behind overlapping tissue. 

The Breast Care Center at Florida Hospital Tampa offers a comprehensive breast program including breast cancer prevention, detection, treatment and recovery. The program is supported by board-certified female radiologists and an all-female staff, including a patient navigator.  

The Breast Care Center is an accredited center of excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR).  

Located at 3100 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa, Florida Hospital Tampa is a not-for-profit 475-bed hospital specializing in cardiovascular medicine, neuroscience, orthopaedics, women’s services, pediatrics, oncology, endocrinology, bariatrics, wound healing, sleep medicine and general surgery.  

For more information, visit www.FHTampa.org.