Gottlieb's New Digital Mammography Equipment Ready For Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Gottlieb’s mammography department has taken another progressive step toward the prevention of breast cancer with the installation of a high-tech digital imaging unit. This state-of-the-art diagnostic system allows for instant, “filmless,” and precise imaging with no processing time. The high-quality images are immediately available meaning less time spent by patients in the breast imaging suite.
“For certain types of patients—those with histories of breast cancer or with larger, dense breasts, for example—digital mammography offers better viewing,” said Gottlieb radiologist S. Chandra-Mouli, M.D. “We now have the flexibility to maneuver the images, so we can make them larger and smaller—all to better view areas of interest.”
Another new feature to the digital equipment is a CAD (computer-aided diagnosis) system, which highlights potential abnormalities in the breast image. Dr. Mouli views the new feature as a welcome “second pair of eyes.” Dr. Mouli likens detecting breast cancer to “looking for a needle in a haystack” because of obstructions like calcifications and density. “Digital technology overcomes these variables with sharp, crisp images,” he said.
Gottlieb’s mammography services rank among the best at diagnosing breast cancer in its early stages. This is extremely important because breast cancer is the most treatable in its early stages. Despite consumer awareness campaigns, the mammography rate in the United States has declined from 70 percent to 66 percent between 2000 and 2005, according to the National Cancer Institute, translating into 1.1 million fewer women having mammograms. The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program offers free mammograms, breast exams, pelvic exams and Pap tests. Uninsured women over the age of 35 can receive free cervical cancer screenings, and women over the age of 40 can receive free mammograms and breast exams.
If you need coverage for breast and cervical cancer, or if you know anyone who may be eligible for the program, please call the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Women’s Health-Line at 1-888-522-1282.
According to the American Cancer Society 2007-2008 Breast Cancer Facts and Figures:
- More than 240,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year.
- More than 40,000 women are expected to die from breast cancer this year. Only lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths in women.
- White women have a higher incidence of breast cancer than African American women after age 40.
- African American women have a higher incidence rate before age 40 and are more likely to die from breast cancer at every age.
- The National Cancer Institute reports that 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are age 50 or older.
- Annual mammography screening is a covered service by Medicare.
- The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 2.4 million breast cancer survivors are alive today.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure recommends the following guidelines:·
- Mammograms every year starting at age 40.
- Women under 40 with a history of breast cancer should talk with a health care provider;
- screening tests may be needed more often and/or started earlier.
- Breast self-exams should start at age 20.
Gottlieb’s mammography center offers early morning and evening hours, as well as Saturday appointment times. The hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 7 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
During the month of October, mammogram patients will receive a purse-sized calendar plus be entered into a drawing for a gift bag with breast cancer awareness items. To schedule an appointment, call 708/450-4917. A doctor’s order is needed.
Mammography is a highly regulated service. Gottlieb meets all of the requirements of the Mammography Quality Standards Acts (MQSA), is accredited by the American College of Radiology and annually inspected by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA).