Screening & Diagnostic 3D Mammography

Digital breast tomosynthesis, also known as 3D mammography, is the latest innovation in medical imaging technology that is highly effective in detecting breast cancer at an early stage. 3D mammography can help identify breast cancer as early as two years before a lump can be felt by a patient or a physician, making it an essential study for early detection. At South Jersey Radiology Associates, 3D mammograms are offered as the standard of care for all patients. Today, most insurance plans cover the cost of annual 3D screening mammograms at 100% for women over the age of 40.

Breast Imaging Technologist Explaining A 3D Mammogram To Her Patient
Breast Imaging Center Of Excellence

Our 3D Mammography Locations

South Jersey Radiology offers 3D mammograms across 7 of our office locations. With evening, weekend, and same-day appointments available, making your breast health a priority has never been easier. View our office locations today.

Reasons For A Screening 3D Mammogram

3D technology in mammography offers numerous benefits for breast cancer detection. Unlike traditional (2D) mammograms that produce flat images, 3D mammograms create multiple images or “slices” of breast tissue from various angles. This ability allows our breast imaging specialists and technologists to have layered views of breast tissue, which results in greater accuracy and improved image quality. The complete picture captured by 3D mammograms reduces the need for additional imaging that can cause added anxiety and cost to our patients. At South Jersey Radiology, we are committed to providing our patients with the best possible care and are proud to say that our early breast cancer detection rate is higher than the national average.

Older Woman Going Over Her To Do List
Mammography Technologist Consulting With Woman Before 3D Mammogram

Wonderful staff, very friendly! My tech made me feel comfortable and was clear with her directions during the 3D mammogram.

South Jersey Radiology Cherry Hill Patient

Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding proper preparation and expectations can help alleviate any anxiety you might have prior to your appointment. Learn about what happens before, during, and after your 3D mammogram with our frequently asked questions.

Women's health experts recommend that women with no breast symptoms or genetic predispositions start screening mammograms at the age of 40 and repeat them annually (every 12 months). For women with a family history of breast cancer, it is recommended to start annual screening mammograms at the age of 35. Clinical research shows that early and routine screening mammograms starting at the age of 40 have reduced breast cancer mortality rate by 40% when compared to late and infrequent examinations. Most insurance plans cover annual screening mammograms at 100% with no physician referral needed.

Your screening mammogram will be performed by a mammography-certified, female technologist who will explain the study before getting started. Most appointments take less than 20 minutes to complete. After you check-in, you will be escorted to a private dressing room. You will be asked to undress from the waist up and wear a gown that opens up in the front. You will also need to remove any jewelry or metal objects, which can distort the image results. During the appointment, the technologist will position each breast against the 3D unit. Your breast tissue will be compressed briefly, which may cause some discomfort. The compression of the breast tissue helps ensure that the entire area of the breast can be examined.

To prepare for a screening 3D mammogram, here are some recommendations to follow:

  • To minimize discomfort, schedule your mammogram during the two weeks following your menstrual cycle, when your breast are least tender.
  • Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
  • Avoid wearing tight-fitting or one-piece clothing. Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that are easy to remove from the waist up are preferred. Don't wear deodorant, perfume, or lotion on your upper body on the day of your appointment. These products can show up on your results and skew the quality of the images being captured.
  • If you've had prior mammograms, breast ultrasounds, or breast MRIs at an imaging center other than South Jersey Radiology, you will be asked to provide contact information for the center so we can obtain these records before your appointment. Prior records help our board-certified, subspecialized radiologists identify any changes that have occurred over time. If you would like South Jersey Radiology Associates to request these records on your behalf, please reach out to one of our patient service representatives at 1.888.909.7572.

For more information, please view our patient forms and guides here.

During a screening 3D mammogram, you are exposed to a very minimal amount of radiation. At South Jersey Radiology, our screening 3D mammograms are compliant with Image Wisely's safe imaging guidelines and utilize low-dose technology.

Our patients at South Jersey Radiology can access their mammography results via our secure patient portal. If you are signed up for our patient portal, your screening 3D mammogram will be posted to your portal within 2 days of your study. If you do not have access to our patient portal, please reach out to one of our patient service representatives at 1.888.909.7572. Your mammography results will be sent to your primary physician as well within 2 days of your study. Your primary physician may upload your results to their healthcare patient portal and allow you access within 7 – 10 days.

Although screening 3D mammograms reduce the need for additional imaging, callbacks are not uncommon. A callback means that additional information is required to confirm that an area of breast tissue is not a concern and is not breast cancer. If this is your first mammogram, additional imaging may be needed to establish a proper baseline for future screening appointments.

Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance providers are required to cover the full cost of an annual screening 2D mammogram. In the case of annual screening 3D mammograms, the full cost may not be covered by certain health insurance providers. This largely depends on which state you live in and what health insurance plan you have.

As of August 1st, 2018, New Jersey state law requires health insurance companies to provide coverage for 3D mammograms in women 40 and over with no deductible, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing methods. However, certain out-of-state, federal, and employer insurance plans set up as “self-funded” may not have to comply with state insurance regulations.