New 3D tool in the fight against breast cancer - 14 News, WFIE, Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro

New 3D tool in the fight against breast cancer

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A new high tech tool is giving women an edge in the fight against breast cancer.

Radiologist Dr. Dipa Patel is using a new FDA approved 3D imaging machine on patients.

She says the new technology is especially useful for women who have dense breasts.

Their tissue appears white in 2D images, making it difficult to detect possible tumors which also appear white.

"The hope is it would allow you to see things a year or two earlier that you would see on a traditional mammogram and the smaller the tumor when detected, the better the survival rates," said Dr. Patel. 

Priya Veeg who just had her first 3D mammogram says the new technology gives her peace of mind.

"A 3D image is far better and a lot clearer," said Veeg.

Recent studies show radiologists who used the new 3D mammogram caught 20% more cancers than those who used the traditional 2D imaging.

The 3D mammogram is covered by most insurance providers.

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