Merit Health Wesley officials unveiled their new three-dimensional mammography equipment last week on Tuesday, providing services that are more advanced and more comfortable than previous methods.
Medical center and local officials cut the ribbon, opening the Breast Care Center inside the Merit Health Wesley facility.
Staff members said the improvements in the Breast Care Center make a difference in the hospital’s care.
Miranda Franovich, a registered mammographer technologist, has worked at Merit Health Wesley for more than 24 years. She said she is excited to see the Breast Care Center return to the hospital.
“It’s a win-win situation for our patients because many times if you see something on a mammogram, we can call the doctor, and he can be right there,” she said. “I am so glad to be back in the new location with new equipment in the heart of the hospital. Now you don’t have to go out of state to get the best technology.”
Radiation technologist Rachel Evans demonstrates the three-dimensional scanning equipment used in breast examinations. Evans said the process takes only five minutes. The equipment is also used at John Hopkins.
The Hologic three-dimensional examination machine is more precise than earlier equipment.
“You can detect breast cancer at an early, early stage because it doesn’t take one image of your breast,” Franovich said. “It takes several images of your breast in 1-millimeter slices. So, it’s amazing to see the cancer that we have now seen at such an early stage.”
Franovich said moving to the center of the hospital has had a huge impact on the community.
“You don’t have to take off a day of work because you’re so nervous,” she said. “The procedure only takes five minutes, and we’re the only facility out there with the equipment to make it more comfortable.”
Franovich said being aware of breast cancer symptoms is important for treatment.
“For a person who is having chemo for the first time, I want them to know that I am there for them,” she said. “But, also, I want the public to know that you don’t have to have a family member with breast cancer to get breast cancer. You could be the very first one in your family to get breast cancer."
Franovich continued.
“Some people are afraid because it’s going to hurt; I don’t think it hurts at all. And they need to be familiar with their breasts, but also they need to know the signs of breast cancer.”
The general standards for women at average risk remain the same:
-- Starting at age 40, all women can choose whether to start annual screening with mammograms.
-- Women age 45-54 should have a mammogram every year.
-- Women age 55 and older should switch to mammograms every two years but can choose to continue annual screenings.
-- Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good general health, and is expected to live ten more years or longer.
Mammograms can be scheduled at the Breast Care Center by visiting www.MeritHealthWesley.com/diagnostic-imaging or calling 601.296.3400.