Pocono Health System/Pocono Medical Center is excited to offer 3-D mammography (breast tomosynthesis) at the Bartonsville Health Care Center. Breast tomosynthesis produces a three-dimensional view of the breast tissue that helps radiologists identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue. This facility is the first in northeastern Pennsylvania north of Interstate 80 to have 3-D breast tomosynthesis.

The center's Selenia Dimensions breast tomosynthesis system is made by Hologic, a world leader in digital mammography.The Selenia Dimensions system offers exceptionally sharp breast images, an advanced ergonomic design providing more patient comfort, and the groundbreaking tomosynthesis platform designed to deliver superior screening and diagnostic performance for all breast types.The unit also includes the new C-View synthesized 2-D option, which preserves important details from the 3-D tomosynthesis slices, reducing both patient compression time and radiation dose.Breast tomosynthesis will benefit all screening and diagnostic mammography patients, and it is especially valuable for women receiving a baseline screening, those who have dense breast tissue and women with a personal history of breast cancer.Breast cancer screening with tomosynthesis when combined with a conventional mammography has a 40 percent higher invasive cancer detection rate than conventional mammography alone. Tomosynthesis technology gives radiologists increased confidence with up to a 40 percent reduction in recall rates.The tomosynthesis screening experience is similar to a traditional mammogram.During a tomosynthesis exam, multiple low-dose images of the breast are acquired at different angles. These images are then used to produce a series of 1 millimeter thick slices that can be viewed as a 3-D reconstruction of the breast.By offering women the latest and more accurate technology in mammography, Pocono Health System expects to increase the number of area women who will be routinely screened.Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics indicate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman's chance of survival. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent.Pocono Health System is committed to the fight against breast cancer. In offering breast tomosynthesis digital mammography, Pocono Health System provides the latest in imaging technology.If you would like to schedule a mammogram or have questions about this important breast health procedure, please call 570-476-3500.