Your mammogram and your annual exam can happen in the same visit, at the same office, with the care team you already know. Rosa Gynecology offers on-site digital mammography with in-house mammographers, so there’s no separate imaging center to schedule, no new provider to explain your history to, and no second trip. Our Peachtree City location also offers 3D mammography, the newest imaging technology available, in our Sherrie Yaeger Blaha Imaging Suite.
What’s Included
- Digital Mammography: Standard screening and diagnostic imaging, available on-site at every visit.
- 3D Mammography: Our advanced technology, available at our Peachtree City location, offering sharper imaging for dense breast tissue and fewer callbacks.
- In-House Mammographers: Care provided directly by our own dedicated team, ensuring a seamless experience without needing to visit an outside facility.
- Same-Day Scheduling: Convenient option to combine your mammogram directly with your annual well-women exam in a single visit.
Do You Need a Mammogram?
Most women are advised to begin mammogram screening around age 40, and continue annually after that first screening. If you have a family history of breast cancer, screening may need to start earlier, so it’s worth raising at whatever age your gynecological wellness visits begin. Bring any unusual lumps, changes, or concerns you’ve noticed during a self-exam to your provider’s attention right away, regardless of when your next scheduled mammogram is.Our Newest Technology: 3D Mammography
A traditional (2D) mammogram takes four flat images of each breast. 3D mammography, also called tomosynthesis, takes hundreds of images at different angles and compiles them into thin slices, similar to how a CT scan works. That extra detail matters most for women with dense breast tissue, where overlapping tissue on a 2D image can hide or mimic an abnormality. The exam itself feels the same as a standard mammogram; the difference is entirely in the imaging technology and what your radiologist can see.- Fewer Callbacks: 3D mammography reduces the chance of being called back for additional imaging by 15 to 30 percent compared to 2D alone, since radiologists can see through overlapping tissue the first time instead of requesting a second look.
- Better for Dense Breast Tissue: If you’ve been told you have dense breasts, or you’ve had repeat callbacks in past years, 3D imaging is increasingly considered the better starting point, not just a follow-up option.
- You’ve been told you have dense breast tissue. This is common, and your radiologist’s report will typically note your tissue density category.
- You’ve had a callback before. Repeated callbacks for additional imaging, especially in consecutive years, are a common reason providers recommend switching to 3D as the starting screening method.
- You have a family history of breast cancer. Family history can shift both your recommended starting age and the type of imaging that makes sense for you.
What to Expect
- Scheduling: Your mammogram can be scheduled on its own or combined with your annual well-woman exam. Many patients complete both in a single visit.
- Timing: Try to avoid scheduling the week before or during your period, when breast tissue tends to be more sensitive.
- Insurance: Digital mammography is a standard covered benefit under most plans. 3D mammography is also often covered, though some plans require it to be requested specifically rather than defaulting to 2D. If you’re not sure what your plan covers, our office can help you check before your visit.
- Results: Your images are read and reviewed by board-certified radiologists. If you’re called back for additional imaging, that doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong; it often means your radiologist wants a closer look at one area, which is common and part of how screening is designed to work.
Why We Added 3D Mammography
We upgraded to 3D mammography because too many women, particularly those with dense breast tissue, were being underserved by 2D imaging alone. Since making the switch, we’ve been able to catch findings that weren’t visible on standard 2D mammograms, and to reduce unnecessary callbacks for patients whose tissue simply needed a better first look. Access matters here too. Women of color and other historically underdiagnosed patients have long faced additional barriers to high-quality breast imaging. Offering 3D mammography on-site, read by board-certified radiologists, is one way we’re working to close that gap for our patients.Frequently Asked Questions
What's the actual difference between a 2D and 3D mammogram?
A 2D mammogram takes four flat images per breast. A 3D mammogram takes hundreds of images from different angles and compiles them into thin slices, making it easier to see through overlapping tissue, especially in dense breasts. Both are available on-site at Rosa Gynecology.
Is 3D mammography available at every Rosa Gynecology location?
3D mammography is currently available at our Peachtree City location in our Sherrie Yaeger Blaha Imaging Suite.
Is 3D mammography covered by insurance?
Often, yes, though some plans require it to be requested specifically rather than defaulting to a 2D mammogram. Check with your insurance ahead of your visit, or ask our office for help.
Do I need a separate appointment for my mammogram and my annual exam?
No. Both can typically be scheduled for the same visit.
I got called back after my mammogram. Does that mean something is wrong?
Not necessarily. Callbacks are common and usually mean your radiologist wants a closer look at a specific area, sometimes with a focused view or an ultrasound. Many callbacks turn out to be normal tissue variation.
What is thermography, and is it a substitute for mammography?
Thermography measures heat patterns in breast tissue and has been available for decades, but there’s no evidence it can detect breast cancer early the way a screening mammogram can. It isn’t a substitute for mammography as a screening tool.
When should I start getting mammograms?
Most women are advised to begin around age 40 and continue annually. If you have a family history of breast cancer, talk to your provider about starting earlier.
