South Florida Baptist Hospital is now offering a new type of mammogram technology that shows mammograms to patients in 3-D.
The hospital is one of the facilities within the BayCare Health System that was scheduled to receive the new technology this year. It started offering the mammograms Tuesday, July 14.
The new screening technology is called tomosynthesis, a software program that makes it easier for radiologists to identify tissues and breast structures. The technology takes multiple images of the breast structure from different angles. Later, the images are put together to create a reproduction for the radiologist to examine. The technology can also detect the size of a lump, further helping radiologists.
“We now have even better technology available to help us find cancer earlier,” Debi Brightwell, imaging services manager, said. “With tomosynthesis we have the best chance possible to detect even the smallest area of concern.”
The software program was added to the existing scanners at the hospital, which previously saw scans in 2-D. Potential concerns that were found in the 2-D mammograms can be reviewed further in 3-D and treated appropriately.
This new technology also decreases patient waiting time, as patients no longer have to return to the hospital for future screenings and appointments related to potential concerns from the unclear 2-D scans.
It cost approximately $500,000 for the tomosynthesis software. The price for the new software was originally part of the hospital’s budget for implementation in 2015.
“South Florida Baptist Hospital is continually evaluating and planning for implementation of new technology when the need in the community supports adding it,” Karen Kerr, hospital president, said. “In this case, it was a BayCare-wide purchase for the various outpatient centers through the system. Because our outpatient services are hospital based, the equipment was placed at the hospital.”
South Florida Baptist Hospital is hopeful that a newer, more accurate form of technology will encourage regular mammograms for women. According to breastcancer.org, approximately 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. However, if caught early through mammograms and other routine check-ups, there is a higher chance of survival.
In 2015, it is expected that almost 30% of detected cancers in women will be breast cancer. Breast cancer deaths in the United States began to decrease in 1989, and breast cancer rates began to decrease in 2000.
“South Florida Baptist Hospital is committed to the fight against breast cancer,” Brightwell said. “With 3-D breast tomosynthesis digital mammography, we come to battle with an even better weapon against this disease.”
PREVENTION TIPS
According to the Breast Cancer Fund, eating hormone-free meat and dairy can reduce the risk of breast cancer, as well as eating fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned greens. Cooking with cast iron pots and pans instead of teflon can also help reduce your risk.
The website also encourages making changes outside of the kitchen. If you use a lot of cosmetics, cut down to only the ones that you use on a regular basis. Avoid products with known carcinogens and some hair dyes. Visit BreastCancerFund.org for more tips.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com