Massachusetts General Hospital | Imaging

Ask our expert

Elizabeth Rafferty, MD
Director of Breast Imaging

October is Breast-Cancer Awareness Month, and we've got our expert, Breast Imaging Director Elizabeth Rafferty, MD, on hand to answer your questions. If there's anything you'd like to know about mammography, 3D mammography, or any other aspect of breast imaging and breast-cancer detection, submit your question via any of the methods listed below, then stay tuned for answers from Dr. Rafferty, posted each Tuesday. Please be advised that these answers do not constitute medical advice; you should always discuss any change in your breast health with your doctor.

Submit your breast-imaging questions by:

• Posting on our Facebook page
• Tweeting to @MGHImaging
• Sending email to feedback@massgeneralimaging.org
  

Why do women get called back after a mammogram?
Dr. Rafferty: A patient is called back for additional mammographic images because the radiologist sees something potentially abnormal and would like additional views.

Why can't I just have an ultrasound instead of having a mammogram?
Dr. Rafferty: Ultrasounds produce too many false positives if used for screening. We use ultrasound to address specific situations in a diagnostic evaluation.

Diabetic mastopathy is usually indistinguishable from breast cancer, how can you tell?
Dr. Rafferty: Imaging abnormalities are evaluated in the clinical context of the patient, but in general, suspicious abnormalities require a biopsy for definitive diagnosis. As always, any change in your breast health should be brought to your doctor's attention.

With 3D mammography, how many pictures do you take?
We take 15 images of the breast during the time of your study, and they are digitally reconstructed into 3D images.

Is 3D mammography better than conventional mammography for evaluating calcifications?
Tomosynthesis imaging is reviewed in conjunction with the conventional mammogram to evaluate calcifications.

Does a 3D mammogram feel different from a regular mammogram?
The experience for the patient is virtually identical. It takes just a few extra seconds to capture the additional images.

Should I be concerned about radiation with 3D mammography?
The radiation dose for the 3D mammography exam we are performing is under the FDA regulated limit for mammography. The FDA thoroughly considered the radiation issue before approving tomosynthesis for use in screening and diagnostic exams.

What does the future hold for 3D mammography?
Our hope for tomosynthesis in the future is that we find cancers earlier and further reduce mortality from breast cancer. Time will tell.

Does age matter when it comes to who should have 3D mammography?
In clinical trials, all women benefited from 3D mammography. But the benefit was greatest in women with dense breast tissue. This is because dense breast tissue can mask cancers and/or lead to false positives. Dense breast tissue tends to be more common in younger women because as we age, the tissue tends to become more fatty.

Do all insurances cover 3D mammography?
Currently, there is no additional charge for 3D mammography.

OTHER Events

• Schedule a screening mammogram at one of our convenient locations. Each woman who gets a mammogram during October will receive a small thank you gift.
• We're proud to announce the launch of 3D mammography at Mass General West Imaging - Waltham.
• Book a mammogram appointment and get information and a gift at our Breast Cancer Awareness educational tables:
  
  
  • 10/6: Mass General, near Coffee Central (10 am to 2 pm)
  • 10/11: Mass General, near Coffee Central (10 am to 2 pm)
  • 10/12: Mass General, Eat Street Cafe (10 am to 2 pm)
    Eat Street will be serving a special pink parfait dessert.
  • 10/19: MGH Revere Healthcare Center (10am to 2 pm)
  • 10/20 and 10/21: Mass General North Shore Center for Outpatient Care (10 am to 2 pm)
  • 10/25: Mass General West Imaging - Waltham, Cafeteria
  • 10/27: Mass General, near Coffee Central (10 am to 2 pm)