Fairview has started offering 3D mammograms at several East Metro locations: HealthEast Midway Clinic and St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul; the HealthEast Breast Center in Maplewood; and Woodwinds Health Campus in Woodbury.

Clinically proven to increase the early detection of breast cancer, 3D mammograms also have a lower rate of false positives and therefore decrease the number of women asked to return for additional testing.

“3D digital mammography is state-of-the-art technology that allows us to better see through the breast tissue layer by layer,” says Tim Emory, MD, a University of Minnesota Health radiologist. “The technology is a step forward from conventional 2D mammography, including for women with dense breasts – who are at slightly greater risk of developing cancer."

Traditional 2D mammograms provide a view of breasts from the top and bottom, while the 3D test looks at breast tissue from multiple angles. Both types of mammograms feel the same for the patient, take just a few minutes, and use only a small amount of radiation.

According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women, resulting in 40,920 deaths last year.

These Fairview locations offer 3D mammograms.