"I recommend 3D mammograms for all women," the breast radiologist said. "They pick up more cancers because they're not obscured by dense breast tissue. That is true for all women, of all ages and all levels of breast density." Litwer sat down with Cedars-Sinai's Newsroom to address the benefits of 3D mammography.

Is there a difference between digital mammogram and 3D mammogram?

During a 2D mammogram (also called conventional digital mammography), two pictures are typically taken of each breast—one from the side and one from above. During a 3D mammogram (also known as digital breast tomosynthesis), multiple images are taken of the breast from different angles.

What is the best kind of mammogram?

The most common method for screening women with dense breasts is 3-D mammography. This imaging test creates a three-dimensional view of the breast tissue. It is often combined with ultrasound. Also known as tomosynthesis, 3-D mammography is better than regular 2-D mammography at detecting masses in dense tissue.