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3D mammograms now available in Las Vegas

Posted at 12:06 PM, Oct 02, 2015
and last updated 2015-10-02 15:06:00-04
There is new technology here in the valley to better detect breast health problems.  Action News anchor Beth Fisher explains, it may already be saving lives.
 
Jessica Smith has been worried about a lump in her breast for quite some time.  But she's been waiting for new 3D technology to some to Steinberg Diagnostics to have it checked out. 
 
"I have two children, a great husband. I want to be there for my kids future and our future,"  said Jessica.
 
Jessica's aunt had breast cancer at age 40, so Jessica doesn't want to mess around.  She was one of the first patients to get a 3D mammogram with these new machines made by GE.  It's technology Steinberg waited to get.
 
"On the internet it's saying 3D is higher radiation, but that's not true for all equipment, especially GE it's lower. It's actually the  same radiation as you would do a regular 2D mammography," explained Robin Bryant, breast and diagnostic radiologist.
 
It's the same radiation, but far superior pictures.
 
"I'm not going to lie, I'm extremely nervous.  But it could save your life."  But what Jessica didn't expect is that it could be her life that was saved. On this day the 3D mammogram identified a problem hidden by traditional 2D images.
 
The radiologist explained "Here she was, 35.  But she felt this last year and she was worried enough even though she said my husband thought I was crazy, everybody thinks I'm crazy.  But she believed in what she felt. She knew her body and she knew there was something there."
 
With the help of her doctors, Jessica will need to decide whether to have a biopsy, that would be the next step. But as frightening as that may be, at least she knows.
 
"I love her very much. We have a family together. I want to make sure she's taken care of and healthy," Mike Smith, Jessica's Husband added.