PONTOTOC -- At North Mississippi Medical Center-Pontotoc, we know that seeing even the smallest change in a mammogram is key to making a difference in a patient’s life. That’s why we invested in 3-D mammography technology– to detect breast cancer early, when it is most treatable.

As of Oct. 1, the North Mississippi Health Services hospitals in Amory, Eupora, Iuka, Tupelo, Pontotoc and West Point, Mississippi, all offer 3-D mammography. The technology is also coming soon to the Hamilton, Alabama, hospital. This new technology, along with annual screenings, will give patients across north Mississippi and northwest Alabama their best chance to find cancer earlier.

“We are excited for the women of Pontotoc and those living close to Pontotoc hospital to have digital breast tomosyntheses, or 3D mammography,” said Brent Sanders, director of the Radiology Department at NMMC-Pontotoc. “Women in this area deserve to have the latest technological advancements in women’s health care. It will improve the accuracy of cancer detection and reduce the number of false positive results, leading to a reduction of callbacks for multiple testing, thereby decreasing anxiety and costs associated with those tests. This is consistent with our mission statement to continuously improve the health of the people of our region.”

Women over age 40 are encouraged to have a screening mammogram every year. A screening mammogram is for those who do not have a specific breast concern or symptom, such as a lump. If you have a lump or other concern, your provider will recommend diagnostic testing.

Pain and discomfort are top reasons why women skip mammograms. This new technology is tailored to the structure of each woman’s breast, so we can deliver a better patient experience with less compression. These new 3-D mammography machines can measure breast density right at the workstation and assess risk before a person leaves the exam.

NMHS is connecting area women to self-scheduled 3-D screening mammograms at the time and location that is most convenient to them.

For more information or to schedule a 3-D screening mammogram, call (662) 377-6655 or 1-866-912-1486.