Liane Philpotts, MD, FACR

Liane E. Philpotts, MD, is the chief of Breast Imaging for Yale Medicine and a professor of radiology and biomedical imaging at Yale School of Medicine. The co-author of Breast Tomosynthesis (Elsevier 2018), she is leading efforts at Yale to study how 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) is transforming breast imaging and aiding in early breast cancer detection.

“To patients, a 3D mammogram feels exactly the same as 2D,” she says, but for the radiologist, being able to view breast tissue in ‘slices’ makes 3D mammography interpretation more accurate. “And with breast cancer, early detection is key,” says Dr. Philpotts, whose research focuses on breast interventional procedures and outcomes, screening breast ultrasound, and breast tomosynthesis.

She urges women to make their breast health a priority and consider having regular mammograms. “Many patients will want to begin screening mammography in their 40’s, so have a discussion with your health care provider.”