Porter Health Care System Now Offers 3D Mammography for Early Detection of Breast Cancer at All Three of its Women’s Imaging Centers

Porter Heath Care System now offers 3D mammography (or tomosynthesis) as a powerful tool designed to improve early detection of breast cancer at all three of its Women’s Imaging Centers. The Centers are all recognized by the American College of Radiology as Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence and located in Valparaiso Medical Center, Portage Hospital and the Medical Plaza adjacent to Porter Regional Hospital.

“With this revolutionary screening and diagnostic tool, radiologists can look at breast detail in a way never before possible,” shared Nancy Babich, Director of Diagnostic Imaging for Porter Regional Hospital. “A 3D mammogram can be especially helpful for women with dense breasts and it is proven to increase the detection rate of early breast cancer. It’s done in conjunction with a traditional mammogram and only takes a few seconds longer for each view.”

During a 3D mammography, multiple images of the breast are produced in one millimeter slices. The images can be scrolled through like the pages of a book. This provides a radiologist with a more confident assessment and the ability to find cancers that may be missed by conventional 2D mammography.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA) reports that 3D mammography finds a 41% increase in the detection of invasive breast cancers and a 29% increase in the detection of all breast cancers as compared to conventional 2D mammography. For women at average risk for breast cancer, the AMA recommends annual screenings starting at age 40.

To schedule an annual screening mammogram at one of Porter’s three mammography imaging locations, call 219-983-8399. Locations include:

• Valparaiso Medical Center’s Center for Women’s Health, 1900 Roosevelt Road
• Portage Hospital’s Center for Women’s Health, 3630 Willowcreek Road
• Center for Women’s Health, in the Medical Plaza adjacent to Porter Regional Hospital, 85 East US Highway 6

Porter Health Care System has two hospital campuses and seven outpatient facilities serving Porter, Lake, LaPorte, Starke and Jasper counties. With more than 350 physicians representing 50 medical specialties, Porter Health Care System is committed to medical excellence and personalized, patient-centered care. Porter is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.