Special Report: Fighting breast cancer in 3-D
The groundbreaking technology is making a difference in diagnosing breast cancer.
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March 24, 2014

In a 12 on Health special report, News 12 is looking at 3-D mammography, a groundbreaking technology making a difference in diagnosing breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Socety, more than 200,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed last year. With 3-D mammography, or tomosynthesis, doctors hope to reduce the number by detecting cancer earlier.

Laurie Terranova, of White Plains, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer last October and says undergoing a 3-D mammogram saved her life. The prognosis was good and after undergoing surgery and five months of chemotherapy, she says she remains optimistic. Terranova’s cancer was diagnosed after she underwent a 3-D mammogram at Rye Radiology, the first radiology clinic in the Hudson Valley to offer the service.

Dr. Diana LoRusso says 3-D mammography gives doctors much more detail than with traditional mammograms, which can hide cysts and even tumors. LoRusso says it also reduces false positives and can actually diagnose early stage breast cancer years before a traditional mammogram would.

Currently, most insurance plans are not covering the higher costs of 3-D mammography, so many doctors are charging anywhere from $50 to $100 for patients.