Jill Dietz, MD 3-D Mammography now Offered at University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center There’s not much that is as anxiety-provoking as waiting to hear the results of a mammogram – let alone getting a false positive. Tomosynthesis, also known as 3-D mammography, has been called one of the “hottest” clinical procedures by medical imaging specialists, because it reduces some of that anxiety due to its high level of accuracy. It has been available at University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center since fall 2014. Tomosynthesis is being lauded by clinicians for good reason. By taking images of the breast from multiple angles, the technology improves radiologists’ ability to detect breast cancers by helping pinpoint the size, shape and location of abnormalities. This helps radiologists distinguish harmless structures from tumors, leading to fewer false positives. That means fewer call-backs and less anxiety for women. University Hospitals was the first health care provider in Northern Ohio to offer tomosynthesis. Jill Dietz, MD, breast surgeon at UH Ahuja Medical Center and an oncologist with UH's Seidman Cancer Center, explains it this way: “Because tomosynthesis offers a view of the entire breast, it provides a better ability to pick up subtle changes in the breast. Think of it like reading all of the pages in a book instead of just the front and back covers.” Notably, the technology has reduced the number of unnecessary call-backs by 15 percent. Breast cancer experts now believe that tomosynthesis will soon become the “gold standard” in breast center screening and detection. “Tomosynthesis offers women the next generation in breast cancer detection,” says Dr. Dietz. “The technology is an important new tool in our arsenal to detect breast cancer early when it is treatable.” University Hospitals encourages every woman age 40 and over to have an annual screening mammogram. To find out more, call UH Ahuja Medical Center at 216-844-BRST. Dr. Dietz will be speaking at the Ohio Women’s Expo on Saturday, October 3 at 1:30 p.m. in the Signature of Solon ballroom. The expo is free and open to the public on Saturday and Sunday. University Hospitals encourages every woman age 40 and over to have an annual screening mammogram. October 2015 n Beachwood Buzz 61