UT Health East Texas HOPE Breast Care Centers Now Offering Advanced 3D Mammography in Athens and Cedar Creek Lake  

Athens, Texas (May 22, 2025) —  UT Health East Texas is proud to announce the installation of advanced 3D mammography technology at its HOPE Breast Care Centers in Athens and Cedar Creek Lake. This state-of-the-art imaging offers improved cancer detection and provides women in Henderson County and surrounding areas with greater access to life-saving diagnostics.

To celebrate this milestone, the public is invited to attend ribbon-cutting ceremonies at both locations:

• Cedar Creek Lake: Wednesday, May 28, from 12 to 1 p.m.
• Athens: Wednesday, June 4, from 12 to 1 p.m.

Facility tours will be available following each ceremony.

3D mammography, also known as digital breast tomosynthesis, captures images in thin slices, allowing radiologists to examine breast tissue layer by layer. This significantly reduces the impact of overlapping tissue — a common challenge with traditional 2D mammography — and increases the likelihood of detecting smaller, earlier-stage cancers.

“The advantage of 3D mammography is its ability to see through tissue more clearly,” said Dr. Brandon Ashton, board-certified diagnostic radiologist at the UT Health East Texas HOPE Breast Care Center. “By dividing the breast image into multiple slices, we’re better able to identify small cancers early, and often rule out benign findings without the need for additional imaging.”

Dr. Ashton emphasizes that while the technology behind the scenes has advanced, the patient experience remains the same.

“The goal of all breast imaging is simple: detect cancer as early as possible,” Dr. Ashton said. “Early detection not only reduces the need for aggressive treatment — it can save lives. When breast cancer is found early, outcomes improve dramatically.”

Experts recommend that women receive a baseline mammogram between ages 35 and 40, followed by annual screenings starting at age 40.

To learn more or schedule your appointment, visit UTHealthEastTexas.com/Mammogram or call 903-531-8000.

Event Details

Cedar Creek Lake Ribbon-Cutting

12–1 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2025

UT Health East Texas HOPE Breast Center at UT Health Cedar Creek Lake

100 Municipal Drive, Gun Barrel City, TX

Athens Ribbon-Cutting

12–1 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2025

UT Health East Texas HOPE Breast Center at UT Health Athens

2000 S. Palestine St., Athens, TX

About UT Health East Texas

UT Health East Texas provides care to thousands of patients each year through an extensive regional network that includes nine hospitals, more than 90 clinics, the Olympic Plaza Tower, 13 regional rehabilitation facilities, two freestanding emergency centers, regional home health services, an EMS fleet of more than 65 ambulances and four helicopters, and a comprehensive eight-trauma center care network, including the region’s only Level 1 trauma facility.

As a partner with The University of Texas System, UT Health East Texas is uniquely positioned to provide patients with access to leading-edge research and clinical therapies while training and educating the next generation of physicians and other health professionals. The nationally recognized UT System also includes The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, as well as three other major university medical centers located throughout the state.