Screenings take half the time of traditional mammography with faster, more detailed results
RACELAND, LA – October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital in Raceland is proud to announce its new digital mammography system: Selenia™ digital mammography from Hologic.® It’s well recognized that routine mammograms are the single most important steps that a woman 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 inspects 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 John Flannery, Director of Radiology at Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital. In conjunction with the digital mammography unit, Ochsner St. Anne offers Computer-Aided Detection (CAD), 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 Flannery. By adding digital mammography, Ochsner St. Anne is able to address the physical, emotional and educational needs surrounding breast health. Ochsner St. Anne’s services include screening programs, diagnosis, intervention, treatment, and management of many different diseases of the breast, and educational and support resources. Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital is located at 4608 Highway 1, Raceland, LA 70394. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 985-537-6841.
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