2D or 3D mammogram

[itsbritneybeyatch]

Morning all, has anyone had experience with being given the option of a 2D or 3D mammogram. I don’t live in the UK at the moment and the info you get here isn’t as good as what I assume the NHS is. Just wondering if a 3D is worth the extra cost for an annual check up? Any insight is welcome.

I wasn't aware of the choice.

I have mine privately at what is probably the best private hospital in London, yet a 3D image has never been offered. It's a digital image and they take a shot from above and one from the side for each breast. So that is 4 images in total.

What is a 3D image?

I don’t really know! 🙈 I’ve tried to look online to find out but I’m still not really clear.

Is it the usual mammogram or something like an mri?

I think the usual - but could be wrong .

It looks quite good www.carolmilgardbreastcenter.org/3d-mammography-q-as

Ooooh that’s really helpful. Thank you so much, Bloomed!

I am not aware of this being available in the UK. That site is the US. Are you in the US? I'd assume that if it was available in the UK I'd know as the hospital I use is one of the best (the Queen goes, and is the patron) and they would have that equipment.

I've never seen it in the UK but could be interesting. I need to find the best place for breast checks.

This clinic does it but think I'd prefer a hospital www.thelondonbreastclinic.com/breast-screening.php

It doesn't really matter if it is a clinic or a hospital. What matters is the skill of the radiographer who positions your breasts to get the best views, and then the skill of the radiologist who looks at the images.

If you went to the clinic like the link, you need to ask who does the reading of the images. They probably use freelance doctors who are sent the images rather than employed staff - but I can't be sure- you need to ask.

Exactly my thoughts Sandy, I'd like to know that those reviewing images would be the best qualified.

what I don't understand is if 3D images are superior, why don't all private hospitals use them? I have mine done at the King Edward V11 which is a very, very good hospital. I know they have replaced the machines over the years and it's a totally private hospital so why aren't they offering women the choice if 3D is superior? I think there must be another side to this that we aren't aware of.

Perhaps the technology is as yet unproven.

How much radiation do they expose you to, respectively?