Mass General: 3-D Mammography Technology

Posted by Charles P. Rehberg 
on Oct 21, 2013
 
On October 21st, Tom Rizzo, clinical and marketing manager with Mass. General Imaging in Worcester, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Tom discussed new 3D Mammography. Tom shared that one in eight women will be diagnosed in the U.S. with breast cancer, which is the second leading cause of death in women. One percent of breast cancer deaths are men. 
 

He said that if breast cancer is detected before it spreads, there is a 100 percent chance that a breast cancer victim will survive. Early detection is important the advent of 3D mammography imaging which was 10 years in the research/development at Mass. General Hospital. In February 2011, the FDA approved the use of this imaging. The different between traditional mammograms and 3D mammograms is the clarity of what the radiologist can see. With the new 3D technology, they are able to look behind the breast; ducts and tissues overlap in 2D imaging. This new imaging will soon be the standard of care Tom shared. It has only been in use for the past 2.5 years. Locally, it is available at St. Joseph's Hospital and Southern New Hampshire Medical Center.

Tom is a Rotarian, who joined 25 years ago in Torrington, Conn.; he is now a Rotary Club member in Worcester and resides in Nashua with his family.