3D technology in Salinas helps to detect early stages of breast cancer

Salinas now has 3D mammography technology to help better detect breast cancer.

The Nancy Ausonio Mammography Center is the only spot in the city to offer the FDA approved 3D Genius Mammography exam.

Getting an annual mammogram is something doctors encourage women over 40 to do, but it can be an extremely nerve-wracking experience.

“The biggest complaints that people have is discomfort, there’s pinching there’s pushing there’s compression,” said mammographer Tracy Chen with Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System.

Now, experts are hoping the 3D mammography machines won’t just make patients more comfortable, but give better results.

“3D imaging what that means is we get multiple images at different angles of the breast rather than the traditional 2D which is just the views from both above and at an oblique angle,” said Chen

Tracy Chen says patients have already seen a difference.

“Some of the patients who ask to see the pictures say oh that’s kind of neat how they can see us pan through the tissues where you can see the different layers of the tissue to really kind of get a better idea of what’s going on.”

The 3D imaging is also able to better pan through dense breast tissue which helps many avoid a biopsy.

Staff at the center say it leads to fewer call backs, something that can also benefit all of their patients.

“It’s a lot of time and energy and anxiety invested into a call back so decreasing that just makes it more seamless and hinders patients less about coming back for their yearly screening.”