A new 3-D mammogram system designed to screen for breast cancer has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The Selenia Dimensions System, an X-ray machine developed by Hologic Inc., will significantly enhance screening methods by giving doctors a clearer image than conventional mammograms, the administration said.
Traditional mammograms are still the best way to find breast cancer, but the limited technology requires some women to have additional testing. Reviewing an additional 3-D image helped doctors find more cancers than with 2-D images alone," the FDA said in a statement Monday.
The Hologic device is capable of both two- and three-dimensional screening, so radiologists will be able to compare 2-D and 3-D images side-by-side for a more thorough examination.
Traditional 2-D mammograms require 10 percent of women to come back for additional testing after an initial exam.
"We do believe we will be able to lessen the unnecessary recalls [for more screening] and hopefully find cancer earlier and save more lives," said Robert Cascella, Hologic's chief executive, according to Health News.
In a study performed by the FDA, radiologists were able to distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous cases 7 percent more effectively when viewing both 2-D and 3-D images than when viewing 2-D images alone.
The National Cancer Institute recommends that women over 40 receive a mammogram every one or two years.
