KIMT
by Annalise Johnson

Using X-rays, a 3D mammogram creates a 3D image of the breast. Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea received a new breast tomosynthesis machine in November and began using it on patients this weekend. The machine has multiple benefits over standard screening tests alone, including decreasing the chance of patients needing to return for additional testing, being able to find more cancers, and using it to look for cancer in people who have no signs or symptoms. "It allows us to catch more cancers because cancers show up as white on the mammogram just like normal breast tissue, so allowing us to separate out those tissues can help us find cancers a little bit easier," explains radiologist Brandon Stott, M.D.

Reach: KIMT 3 serves the Mason City-Austin-Albert Lea-Rochester market.

Context: Patients who visit Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea now have greater access to enhanced technology for breast cancer screenings. The medical center recently installed its second mammography machine, but the first to provide 3D scans (breast tomosynthesis). This new technology allows radiologists to see breast scans, reduce false positives, and increase cancer detection. “This new, state-of-the art technology enables us to not only see cancers earlier, especially in women with denser breast tissue, it has also now been shown to decrease the recall rate, meaning that you’re less likely to get called back for anything unnecessary, which is less stressful for our patients,” says Brandon Stott, M.D., radiologist at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin. “Finding cancers earlier should lead to improved survivability.” You can read more about 3D breast imaging here.

Contact:  Rick Thiesse

Tags: 3D Breast Imaging, breast tomosynthesis machine, Dr. Brandon Stott, KIMT, Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea, Uncategorized