Screenings take half the time of traditional mammography with faster, more detailed results
NEW ORLEANS – October marks Breast Cancer Awareness month and Ochsner Baptist Medical Center is proud to announce an expansion of women’s services with the addition of a new digital mammography system: Selenia™ digital mammography from Hologic®. It’s well recognized that routine mammograms are the single most important steps that a women can take in the prevention and early detection of breast cancer, however; digital mammography takes less than half the time of traditional film-based exams, enables radiologists to review images immediately, while patients wait, and more closely inspect suspicious areas, to make immediate decisions.
“What sets digital mammography apart from conventional mammography is how the image of the breast is viewed and manipulated. With this technology, we can magnify images, increase or decrease the contrast and invert the black and white values allowing us to evaluate micro-calcifications and focus on areas of concern,” explains Dr. Dennis Kay, M.D., Radiologist at OBMC Imaging Center.”
In conjunction with the digital mammography unit, Ochsner Baptist offers Computer-Aided Detection, which provides a “second read” of the mammogram by a computer. Physicians are the first eyes and the computer serves as a second set, assisting them in making an accurate diagnosis. Digital CAD highlights characteristics commonly associated with breast cancer. When activated, it flags abnormalities to help detect early cancer.
From a patient’s perspective, digital mammography feels identical to conventional screening. The noticeable difference for patients is in shorter exam times and a reduction in call-backs for additional images. “Because digital mammography provides better visualization of the breast tissue, it’s particularly beneficial for women with dense breasts, which includes younger women and women on hormone replacement therapy,” explains Dr. Kay.
“By adding digital mammography, Ochsner Baptist is able to address the physical, emotional and educational needs of breast health. Our services include screening programs, diagnosis, intervention, treatment, and management of many different diseases of the breast, and educational and support resources,” explains Robert Wolterman, CEO at Ochsner Baptist.
“We remain committed to caring for the women of our community and continuing to bring additional medical services to the residents of Orleans Parish,” says Wolterman. Ochsner has invested over $25 million to re-open 22 medical/surgical beds, a three-bed intensive care unit, two endoscopy suites and its Imaging Center. The facility can handle virtually all medical and surgical cases, with the exception of trauma, open-heart surgery and neurological cases. The Ochsner Baptist Imaging Center is located at 2820 Napoleon Avenue in Uptown New Orleans. For appointments, call 504-894-2800.
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