Lutheran Health Network’s KCH Women’s Imaging has begun offering 3-dimensional mammography beginning this week.

Utilizing advanced digital breast 3-D mammography, this latest technology is clinically proven to significantly increase the detection of breast cancers, while simultaneously decreasing the number of women asked to return for additional testing., according to a news release from the hospital.

“We continually want to enhance the level of quality care at Kosciusko Community Hospital. This investment is made so that we can offer the very best mammography technology that can improve the health of those we serve,” said Kirk Ray, CEO at KCH.

In conventional 2-D mammography, overlapping tissue is a leading reason why small breast cancers may be missed and normal tissue may appear abnormal, leading to unnecessary callbacks. A Genius exam includes a 3-D method of imaging that can greatly reduce the tissue overlap effect.

A Genius exam includes both 2-D images and 3-D scans. During the three-dimensional portion of the exam, the X-ray portion of the mammography unit sweeps in a slight arc over the breast, taking multiple images. A computer then converts the images into a stack of thin layers, allowing the radiologist to review the breast tissue one layer at a time.  

Large clinical studies in the U.S. and Europe have demonstrated the positive benefits of a Genius 3-D mammography™ exam. The largest study to date on breast cancer screening using the Genius exam was published in the June 25, 2014, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Findings include:

• A 41 percent increase in the detection of invasive breast cancers.

• A 29 percent increase in the detection of all breast cancers.

• A 15 percent decrease in women recalled for additional imaging.

“By implementing 3-D, we want to provide the most advanced technology locally. I want to encourage women over 40 or anyone with a history of breast cancer to schedule a mammogram,” said Tracie Wise, KCH Women’s Imaging Supervisor.