Centura St. Elizabeth Hospital in Fort Morgan has a new tool in the detection of breast cancer: a 3D mammography machine that will give physicians a more detailed view of the breast.
“3D mammography offers (a) better image than 2D and we can detect nodules a lot quicker,” said Glenn Griffin, Director of Clinical Shared Services.
The new mammogram machine was purchased with a $300,000 donation from The Fort Morgan Hospital Association and Foundation.
“Mammograms are an essential tool for early breast cancer detection, and having an updated 3D mammogram machine ensures that physicians can utilize reliable mammogram testing as part of a patient’s quality healthcare plan,” Loren Boyett, Fort Morgan Community Hospital and Foundation Executive Director, said in a news release on the hospital website.
Why 3D?
With 3D mammography, physicians can see dense breast tissue more clearly. Both dense breast tissue and cancer appear white on a standard mammogram. With 3D mammography, cancer is easier to detect.
Also, when 3D and standard mammograms are done together, abnormalities are easier to detect and the need for a follow-up image is reduced, saving stress on the patient and extra cost.
“The positioning and compression are the same as 2D and the exposure is, the time it takes for the exposure, is just a few seconds longer” explained radiologist, Alejandra Miranda.
“Centura St Elizabeth Hospital is one of three hospitals in the northeast region to have a 3D machine, Brush has one, and Sterling has one,” Griffin said. “It’s funny now because a lot of hospitals are getting away from doing mammograms. They are sending them [the patient] to imaging centers to have it done. We’re going to keep doing it because we are [here] for the community.”
The first patient took part in the new 3D mammogram machine on July 12. They can process 12 patients a day. American College of Radiology has accredited Centura St. Elizabeth with performing high-quality imaging.
Another addition to Centura St. Elizabeth Hospital is the DEXA (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptionary) machine. It is used to measure bone density and is used to measure the risk for osteoporosis (bone loss) and fractures. Women tend to lose bone mass faster and earlier than men. This means that healthcare providers recommend that women get a DEXA scan for osteoporosis at an earlier age. The machine can also be used to determine the muscle and fat composition of the body.
“Along with approval for the 3D machine, we got a DEXA machine, which coincides with our mammography, which we do at the same time with women because they lose bone density faster than men,” Griffin said.
The Centura St. Elizabeth Hospital also paid for the DEXA machine.
