New Digital Standard for Breast Cancer Screening now offered at BRMC
Digital Mammography is Fast Becoming Standard for Screening for Breast Cancer
Jonathan Stafford, MD, a radiologist at Bedford Regional Medical Center, is excited about the addition of a new Lorad® Selenia™ digital mammography system, the first of its kind in Lawrence County.
“Digital mammography definitely has advantages for the patient,” Dr. Stafford said in a recent interview. “It’s quicker, offering a woman the convenience of having her mammogram without repeated imaging and exposure to radiation. For the radiologist, digital mammograms provide more comprehensive visibility. This translates into a win-win situation for the patient.”
Women will notice little difference when going for a digital mammogram at Bedford Regional Medical Center. The procedure is the same as traditional film mammography, but less time consuming, since repeated repositioning of the breasts for additional imaging is frequently unnecessary. The radiologist can process and retrieve the images faster. And because digital mammography is “filmless,” nothing has to be developed. Images are analyzed on a monitor and stored electronically. Of course, hard copies can always be produced if needed.
“Women with dense breasts can certainly benefit from a digital mammogram,” Dr. Stafford said. “Many younger women and those choosing hormone replacement therapy may have dense breasts. For them, screening with digital mammography provides better visualization of the breast tissue.”
When reading the results of a digital mammogram, the radiologist is better able to manipulate the image to see through the breast more clearly. “The latitude of visualization is better—from the skin line to the chest wall,” said Dr. Stafford, who is a Board Certified Radiologist and a Fellow of the American College of Radiology. “If there are calcifications, for example, they can be enhanced or magnified. This aids in analyzing whether the calcifications are suspicious or not.”
To make an appointment for a digital mammogram, please call 812-275-1270.
Bedford Regional Medical Center is a Clarian Health partner, which includes Methodist, IU and Riley Hospitals. For more information on BRMC services, please call 275-1200 or visit online at www.BRMCHealthcare.com.
