Tahoe Forest Health System Now Offering State-of-the-Art Mammography Exams

Tahoe Forest Health System is committed to the fight against breast cancer and recently announced a new and more accurate tool for breast cancer screening available in our community.

Tahoe Forest Hospital’s Briner Imaging Center now offers Genius™ 3D Mammography™ exams, a breakthrough technology in mammograms. Using advanced breast tomosynthesis technology, Genius exams significantly increase the detection of breast cancers, while simultaneously decreasing the number of women asked to return for additional testing.

In conventional 2D mammography, overlapping tissue may cause small breast cancers to 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.

The Hologic system is recommended for women of all ages and breast densities. The system allows radiologists to more effectively pinpoint the size, shape and location of abnormalities. This leads to better detection and greater peace of mind for patients.

• The Genius™ 3D Mammography™ exam is the only mammogram FDA approved as superior for women with dense breasts compared to 2D mammography alone.
• The Genius™ 3D Mammography™ exam finds 20-65% more invasive breast cancers than 2D alone.
• Studies show that Genius™ 3D Mammography™ exams reduce callbacks by up to 40%.

A Genius exam includes both 2D images and tomosynthesis scans. During the tomosynthesis-dimensional portion of the exam, 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.

If you would like to schedule a Genius 3D Mammography™ exam, or have questions about this important breast health procedure, please contact our radiology department at (530) 582-6510.