Three-dimensional technology -- known as three-D -- gives depth to objects that would otherwise appear two-dimensional, or flat. Three-D makes movies and video games look more realistic. And now it could help save lives.
It is difficult to see tumors in dense breast tissue using standard 2-D mammography.xIt is difficult to see tumors in dense breast tissue using standard 2-D mammography.
And they also produce false positives. A false positive wrongly appears to show suspicious tissue. And that causes painful, unnecessary biopsies to examine that tissue.
The White House in Washington is bathed in pink light to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.xThe White House in Washington is bathed in pink light to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Dr. Friedewald says tumors that are difficult to see on a standard mammogram are easy to find in 3 dimensions.
Dr. Friedewald told VOA that she expects three-D to replace the usual two-D mammograms in time. Her study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.