Having dense breast tissue can pose challenges when it comes to the imaging capabilities of a mammogram. Some early cancers may go undetected because they could be hidden behind dense tissue. Women with dense breast tissue are often called in for additional testing due to unclear results. However, a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved technology is enhancing mammography for women in this category. This groundbreaking tool is called tomosynthesis mammography, or 3-D mammography, and it is now offered on GBMC’s campus through its imaging partner, Advanced Radiology. “Tomosynthesis mammography is the next logical step in screening women with dense breast tissue,” says Lauren Schnaper, MD, Director of the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center at GBMC. “By imaging ‘slices’ through the breast, overlapping shadows are eliminated and each area of tissue can be seen more clearly.” She explains that subtle tumors become more obvious because they can be separated from background tissue. Fewer women will be called back for additional imaging because of positional changes in the breast from year to year. “Hopefully, it will allow us to advance in two areas: to perform fewer unnecessary biopsies and to find tumors that are hiding behind normal dense tissue.”