October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and new innovations in mammography are helping doctors get a better idea of what's going on in their patient’s bodies.

Doctors are able to see more through 3D mammograms.

"Traditionally we've gotten a 2-dimensional view of the breast,” says Dr. Bert Petersen Chief of Breast surgery at St. Barnabas.  “Now we get a 3 dimensional view which gives us more information about what's actually happening in the breast tissue"

3D mammograms have been available for a few years, but the technology is celebrating its first anniversary at St. Barnabas.

Doctors and patients agree that early detection is key and doctors say patients can request a 3D mammogram but not all hospitals have them so be sure to bring it up to a doctor if interested.