Early results suggest that it may be a more accurate method of screening, especially if a radiologist combines it with conventional mammography.
Tomosynthesis, which people may refer to as digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), uses the same technology as a regular mammogram. However, while traditional mammograms are 2-D and provide a flat image, tomosynthesis creates a 3-D image. Standard mammograms and tomosynthesis both use X-rays.
Breast cancer is a common type of cancer. In the United States, approximately one in eight women and one in every 883 men will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
In the past, breast cancer, like other cancers, often had a poor prognosis. Now, however, effective screening and treatment make it possible to remove cancer while it is still in one location and stop it from spreading.
Today, a person who receives a diagnosis of breast cancer in its earliest stage is 99 percent as likely to live for at least 5 more years after their diagnosis compared with someone who does not have this disease.
