A device for producing an image of a breast of a patient, the device comprising: - a gantry frame; - at least one motor (212, 214, 216) for moving the gantry frame to form a data acquisition geometry in which image data are taken; - a source of a beam of radiation attached to the gantry frame to move with the gantry frame, the source comprising a beam compensation filter for compensating the beam in accordance with a non-uniform thickness of the breast; - a two-dimensional digital detector attached to the gantry frame to move with the gantry frame, the 2D digital detector being disposed in a path of the beam of radiation; and - a table on which the patient can rest while the image data are taken, the table configured for supporting the patient such that the breast is disposed between the source of cone-beam radiation and the 2D digital detector, the table having a hole through which the breast can extend, and the table comprising a bowl surrounding the hole, an outer portion at least partially surrounding the bowl an intermediate portion between the outer portion and the bowl, the intermediate portion being depressed relative to the outer portion and the bowl being depressed relative to the intermediate portion, such that an entirety of the breast extending through the hole is in the path of the beam of radiation; - wherein the at least one motor (212, 214, 216) is configured to move the gantry frame so that the 2D digital detector can take a volume scan of the breast, wherein: - the bowl has a lower surface; - the outer portion has a lower surface; and - the lower surface of the bowl is below the lower surface of the outer portion and wherein: - the beam of radiation has an upper extent; and - the upper extent of the beam of radiation substantially coincides with the lower surface of the bowl at the hole. - a gantry frame; - at least one motor (212, 214, 216) for moving the gantry frame to form a data acquisition geometry in which image data are taken; - a source of a beam of radiation attached to the gantry frame to move with the gantry frame, the source comprising a beam compensation filter for compensating the beam in accordance with a non-uniform thickness of the breast; - a two-dimensional digital detector attached to the gantry frame to move with the gantry frame, the 2D digital detector being disposed in a path of the beam of radiation; and - a table on which the patient can rest while the image data are taken, the table configured for supporting the patient such that the breast is disposed between the source of cone-beam radiation and the 2D digital detector, the table having a hole through which the breast can extend, and the table comprising a bowl surrounding the hole, an outer portion at least partially surrounding the bowl an intermediate portion between the outer portion and the bowl, the intermediate portion being depressed relative to the outer portion and the bowl being depressed relative to the intermediate portion, such that an entirety of the breast extending through the hole is in the path of the beam of radiation; - wherein the at least one motor (212, 214, 216) is configured to move the gantry frame so that the 2D digital detector can take a volume scan of the breast, wherein: - the bowl has a lower surface; - the outer portion has a lower surface; and - the lower surface of the bowl is below the lower surface of the outer portion and wherein: - the beam of radiation has an upper extent; and - the upper extent of the beam of radiation substantially coincides with the lower surface of the bowl at the hole.