3D Mammography offers more accurate detection of early stages of breast cancer

A successful patient experience with diagnostic imaging has to be just the right combination of technology and people, but each one in its proper place. Technology is important, but there are times when nothing beats a real, live person in lieu of a machine.

That’s the nucleus of what makes the Outpatient Imaging Center here at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin so unique. Patients will never check in at a kiosk or be routed through chains of voicemail prompts when they call. Those are some of the times you prefer actual interaction with a real person, and that’s exactly what we provide.

Accredited by the American College of Radiology as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence in Mammography, Breast Ultrasound and Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, we are proud to offer our newest technology, Genius 3D Mammography, which detects up to 40 percent more invasive breast cancers and may help reduce false positives.

3D mammography, or Tomosynthesis, is the newest technology for detecting small breast masses and distortions. Additionally, it is a great tool for patients identified as having dense breast tissue. It is the first and only clinically superior 3D mammography approved by the FDA. When we went from film screen to digital mammography, we were so excited about the improvement in image quality.

Now, with 3D mammography, everyone in the industry believes this will be the gold standard in a couple of years.

 

The Difference

The 3D technology has been the most beneficial in detecting very small cancers in women who have dense breast tissue. In the more dense tissue, small, cancerous tumors can be difficult to find. Mammography is all about early detection and the outcomes are far better when these cancerous tumors are found early. Early detection is the key to survival and best possible outcomes.

The 3D mammogram is very similar to a traditional 2D mammogram. It’s the same amount of compression for about the same amount of time. It’s the information we are able to gain that makes the difference.

Genius 3D Mammography allows the radiologist to view images of the breast significantly clearer than traditional mammography. Very low X-ray energy is used during the 3D exam, which is about the same as a film screen mammogram and is well within the FDA safety standards for mammography.

This 3D technology also allows a physician to examine the breast tissue layer by layer, so instead of viewing all of the complexities of the breast tissue in a flat image, as with traditional 2D mammography, small details are more visible and no longer hidden by the tissue above or below it.

Currently, not all insurance companies cover the 3D technology, which requires a competitive $75 deposit if a patient chooses to have the 3D exam. It is approved for all women who would be undergoing a regular mammogram, but highly recommended for those who know they have dense breast tissue or have a strong family history of breast cancer.

 

Reduced Anxiety

No one ever wants to hear from a phy-sician that something unusual showed up on a mammogram, but with our Outpatient Imaging Center, you can rest assured we won’t make you wait weeks to find out what it is.

We offer on-site ultrasound-guided biopsies that in many cases can be done on the same day. In the past, a biopsy required a hospital visit and then a surgical consult and it could take up to a week to get results.

Now, with the Breast Health Center adjacent to the Imaging Center, we can provide most imaging same day and typically, results can be given to a patient within two to three business days at most. We have updated our physician order forms to allow follow-up imaging when indicated to include a breast health consultation, which has been very helpful in rapid result turnaround time.

Because we work hand-in-hand with the Breast Health Center, we are able to eliminate some of the patient’s anxiety about what they should do next. We have a certified breast health navigator who can help coordinate follow-up appointments and additional services if needed. The patient has someone they can call for questions, support, additional resource information, or when general help is needed.

 

Biopsy Advancement

In addition to 3D mammography, we also offer stereotactic biopsies, which are done when a physician sees micro-calcifications on a mammogram that are small and spread out. Currently, this is something we only offer one day a week, but we have recently purchased new equipment that will allow us to perform these every day, which will eliminate the wait time for a patient needing a stereotactic procedure.

Our new Affirm stereotactic equipment offers a more comfortable, upright position that will enable a faster procedure.

 

Passionate Professionals

We have a team of people here that is so passionate about what they do; their No. 1 focus is always on the patient. Our clinical staff members are all experienced, licensed professionals, but their compassion and dedication to the patients we serve are what I believe will allow us to continue to excel. We have a team of individuals that strives for excellence in all aspects of their work. The majority of the staff both clinical and non-clinical have more than 10 years of experience and most have been here since we opened in 2008. That speaks volumes about the level of care we provide here.

 

Icing on the Cake

In addition to the newest technology and amazing staff, we also offer a very convenient location, free parking, same-day appointments, rapid report turnaround time and have a spa-like environment designed to reduce anxiety.

According to Press Ganey, the third-party company in charge of hospital patient satisfaction scores nationwide, our Outpatient Imaging Center has consistently been ranked in the upper 90th percentile in patient satisfaction since we opened in 2008.

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