Your screening is coming up. Will the exam hurt, and can the technology really catch problems? Those are fair concerns, especially if you are new to digital breast tomosynthesis.
Below, City Wide Radiology, a trusted provider of 3D digital mammography in Brooklyn, NY, shares what a 3D mammogram actually is and who it may benefit.
What Is 3D Digital Mammography in Brooklyn, NY?
A 3D mammogram is known clinically as breast tomosynthesis. This X-ray exam builds a layered picture for routine breast cancer screening. In some cases, doctors use it to take a closer look at a lump or other change for evaluation.
Standard 2D exams capture two views per breast, so overlapping tissue can hide a small finding or create the appearance of one that isn’t there. The three-dimensional approach separates that tissue into thin slices a radiologist can scroll through individually.
Breast cancer accounted for roughly 2.4 million new cases worldwide in 2024, according to the World Health Organization. The added detail in 3D mammograms may improve detection of invasive cancers and reduce callbacks for extra pictures. For example, in a study of more than 1 million women, 3D exams detected 5.3 cancers per 1,000 women screened, compared with 4.5 per 1,000 for 2D exams. Catching disease early is the point.
How Does Breast Tomosynthesis Create a Layered Image?
One of the biggest questions about 3D digital mammography concerns what to expect during the appointment. The equipment for 3D digital mammograms looks much like a conventional unit, but the difference becomes apparent in the few seconds it takes to capture the images. An X-ray arm simply sweeps in a small arc above the breast, collecting a series of low-dose mammography X-ray images from slightly different angles.
Once the computer stitches those exposures into a stack of thin slices, about one millimeter thick, your radiologist can see the three-dimensional breast imaging layer by layer. This creates sharper visualization of breast tissue, even though the exam is short.
Here is how a typical visit unfolds:
- Check-in: You’ll remove your jewelry and clothing, then change into a front-opening gown.
- Positioning: Your technologist places one breast at a time on the platform.
- Compression: A paddle briefly flattens the tissue so it spreads evenly.
- Imaging: The arm travels overhead while you hold still for a few seconds per view.
Compression can feel uncomfortable, though it lasts only moments. Scheduling a mammogram the week after menstruation may help avoid the most tender time of the month.
Who Might Benefit From 3D Digital Mammograms?
Many imaging centers now offer a 3D mammogram as the standard option, and access has widened. As of August 1, 2026, 8,638 of the 9,118 FDA-certified mammography facilities had at least one tomosynthesis unit. Major guidelines generally suggest that women at average risk should begin annual screening at around age 40, though your physician may advise a different schedule.
For instance, some patients notice a bigger benefit with 3D technology, including people with:
- Dense breasts: Dense tissue and tumors look white on a scan, so layering the image may help the radiologist separate the two.
- Callback history: In a Yale study on RSNA, 7.2% of women screened with 3D mammograms were called back, compared with 10.6% for 2D.
- Elevated risk: A family history or prior biopsy often calls for the most detailed imaging available.
Talk with your doctor about which approach fits your situation.
Prioritize Your Health With City Wide Radiology
Our Women’s Center pairs certified technologists with board-certified radiologists in a comfortable, patient-focused setting, and our Brooklyn offices are open seven days a week. When you’re ready to book, contact us, and we’ll find a time that fits your week.
Call City Wide Radiology at (718) 236-6800 to schedule your 3D mammogram in Brooklyn, NY. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the questions patients most often ask about Digital Breast Tomosynthesis.
How Long Does a 3D Mammogram Take?
Plan on roughly half an hour at the office for a mammogram. Check-in and changing add to the few minutes of actual imaging.
Is the Amount of Radiation Exposure Safe During Mammograms?
The exam involves extremely low levels of radiation. Health agencies generally consider earlier detection worth that small exposure during your mammogram.
Does Insurance Cover a 3D Digital Mammography Screening?
Many plans cover this type of exam, though details vary. Calling your carrier before scheduling a 3D mammogram may spare you a surprise bill.