Digital Mammography
BREAST SCREENING CENTER

Memorial Hospital's Imaging Center is pleased to offer the Selenia® digital mammography system from Hologic thanks to a generous donation by the hospital Auxiliary.

As you know, we strive to deliver the highest quality of care to the patients we serve by using the most advanced technology available. Digital mammography is quickly becoming the standard in breast imaging and is the best tool for early diagnosis, giving patients a much better chance of survival and leading a long, productive life.

Memorial Hospital's mammography center is happy to offer this state-of-the-art digital technology to your readers. Our Selenia digital mammography system uses computers and specially designed digital detectors to produce an image that can be displayed on a high-resolution computer monitor, then transmitted and stored just like computer files.

This technology provides high quality digital breast images that allow the technologist to zoom in for close-ups of specific areas of interest and even adjust brightness and contrast. This advanced imaging is the latest technology in the fight against breast cancer.

Another advantage of digital mammography is the 30% - 40% lower dose of radiation required as compared to traditional mammography techniques. We all know that early detection is the key to saving lives.

Although there has been a decline in the rate of deaths from breast cancer in recent years, it is still the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer.

Studies have shown that, when detected early, the chance for successful treatment of breast cancer is very high.

The American Cancer Society recommends that all women have a baseline screening mammogram between the age of 35 and 40 and that beginning at the age of 40, women have an annual screening mammogram. In addition to annual screening for women 40 and older, women with certain risk factors should discuss an appropriate screening program with their physician.

By offering patients the latest technology in digital mammography, we hope to increase the number of area women who follow recommendations for regular mammography screenings.

• Digital Mammography screening and instruction on self breast examination is a program approved by the American College of Radiology.
• Breast ultrasound and biopsies are also available as needed.

Your digital mammogram must be ordered by your personal physician.

• Report to the radiology registration area.
• Allow an hour for your appointment.
• Receive the exam.
• Results of the digital mammography exam will also be sent to your personal physician. Allow about 2-3 days for the results to reach your physician.

The Breast Screening Center at Memorial Hospital was established in response to today's women, who are more aware of the advantages of education and preventative health measures.

Women know the importance of health screenings for problems that may have no early symptoms. They also know that health problems detected early usually are easier and less expensive to treat and cure.

The Breast Screening Center is staffed by trained female technologists specializing in mammography screening. Any questions you may have can be answered by our radiologists during your screening visit. This can help eliminate any misinformation you may have.

If necessary, the hospital radiologist can perform more definitive diagnostic studies. These diagnostic studies may include sonograms and biopsies. The radiologist will communicate his findings with your physician or surgeon.

We hope you will take advantage of the advanced technology available to you at Memorial Hospital. Let Memorial Hospital's professional staff help you with this important step in your personal health plan!