Is a 3-D mammography the best way to get screened for cancer?

Three-dimensional mammography is a more effective method of detecting tumors than traditional breast cancer screening tools, according to WebMD. The procedure increases cancer detection rates by up to 40 percent when used in association with standard digital mammograms.

In contrast to conventional mammograms, which take images of the breast from two angles, 3-D mammography uses a scanner that moves in an arc around the entire breast. Enhanced visibility allows doctors to spot small tumors that might have gone undetected using older mammogram technology, reports WebMD. The increased accuracy of the procedure also reduces the number of false alarms associated with traditional screening methods.