The UHS Breast Center at UHS now uses the Affirm breast biopsy guidance system to reduce procedure times and X-ray exposure while increasing precision and patient comfort. The system incorporates digital breast tomosynthesis, more commonly known as 3D mammography. Doctors can pinpoint the exact location of an anomaly within a 3D image of the breast, and the system will move to exactly that place to take a sample of the tissue. Patients recline in a comfortable chair during the biopsy.
The Affirm breast biopsy guidance system helps doctors pinpoint the exact location of a breast anomaly.
The UHS Breast Center also uses 3D mammography for screening and diagnostic mammograms. Unlike a regular 2D mammogram, which shows one flat image of the compressed breast, 3D mammography takes images of the breast from several different angles to create a three-dimensional image.
Doctors can visualize breast anomalies more clearly using the 3D image, which helps them determine if the anomaly is a malignancy or just normal, dense tissue. This reduces the need to call patients back for additional diagnostic mammograms, reducing stress and anxiety. A 3D mammogram takes only seconds longer than the conventional method.
TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
For a screening mammogram at the UHS Breast Center at UHS Vestal, call 762-2494. Early morning, evening and Saturday appointments are available. 2D digital mammograms are also available at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital and UHS Delaware Valley Hospital.
