Breast density and digital breast tomosynthesis

Dense breast tissue has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. This is partly a result of difficulties in detecting cancer in dense breasts using conventional mammography. Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an alternative imaging modality that has shown high sensitivity in dense breast tissue. Because of its 3-D capability, DBT allows more accurate viewing of dense breast tissue by eliminating the overlapping effect associated with 2-D imaging. Although DBT has certain disadvantages, support for DBT is increasing among health care professionals, researchers, and patients.