St. Mary's Breast Center now offering Genius 3D Mammography

Thursday, February 17, 2022

St. Mary’s Breast Center is now offering Genius™ 3D Mammography™ exams, adding to the 3D mammography options St. Mary’s has provided since 2012.

Utilizing advanced breast tomosynthesis technology, Genius exams are clinically proven to significantly increase the detection of breast cancers and are also decreasing the number of women asked to return for additional testing.

“In the nearly 10 years we have been offering 3D mammography, we have seen a significant difference in the detection of breast cancers,” said Anne Hammack, clinical coordinator, St. Mary’s Breast Center. “We are very excited to be able to add the latest 3D technology of the Genius exam to our early detection and treatment tools.”

In conventional 2D mammography, overlapping tissue is a leading reason why small breast cancers may be missed and normal tissue may appear abnormal, leading to unnecessary callbacks. A Genius exam includes a three-dimensional method of imaging that can greatly reduce the tissue overlap effect. An X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over the breast, taking multiple images. A computer then converts the images into a stack of thin layers, allowing the radiologist to review the breast tissue one layer at a time. A Genius exam requires no additional compression and takes just a few seconds longer than a conventional 2D breast cancer screening exam.

Researchers have found that: 

• Genius 3D Mammography finds 20-65% more invasive breast cancers compared to 2D alone, an average increase of 41%.
• Only the Genius Mammography exam is FDA-approved as superior for women with dense breasts compared to 2D alone.
• Genius 3D Mammography reduces callbacks by up to 40% compared to 2D alone.

For more information, or to schedule a Genius 3D Mammography exam, call St. Mary’s Breast Center at 304.526.8221.