For American women, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death – second only to lung cancer. Yet, with regular mammography screenings this risk can be diminished.

The Health Alliance hospitals have taken mammography screening to the next level. The Christ Hospital Auxiliary has made a $100,000 commitment to install a computer aided detection system, the R2 ImageChecker, which helps identify areas on a mammogram that warrant a second review by a radiologist. And, The University Hospital now has the first and only state-of-the-art full-field digital mammography system in the region, the Senographe 2000D, which produces x-ray images of the breast through computerization rather than on film.

The detection of breast cancer on a mammogram can be a difficult task due to the complex nature of breast tissue and the subtle characteristics of the disease. The ImageChecker uses special technology to assist radiologists by taking a closer look at the mammogram. It is thought of as a “spell checker” for medical images. Clinical studies of the ImageChecker have shown that in the United States, for every 100,000 cancers currently being detected during mammography, an additional 20,500 women could have their breast cancer detected each year. This should result in better patient outcomes and significantly lower costs.

“Breast cancer is increasingly common in American women, with one out of eight developing the disease some time in her life. However, double readings have been shown to find additional cancers, and breast cancer is most treatable when diagnosed early,” says P. B., M.D., medical director of The Christ Hospital breast center.

The Senographe 2000D, made by GE Medical Systems, is the new digital mammography system available at The University Hospital. The digital images provided by the Senographe 2000D offer patients and physicians several advantages over film. The images are ready to read within ten seconds, so women no longer have to wait for films to be developed to ensure they are satisfactory. Therefore, digital mammography can cut the time it takes to get a mammogram in half. In addition, physicians can tell immediately if they need to re-take an image, and they can do so while the patient is still present. This reduces the need for women to have to return for re-takes.

The digitalization of the breast images made by the Senographe 2000D allows physicians to send and receive the images electronically if a second opinion is necessary or if a patient changes physicians. In addition, mammograms can be read from a remote location. There is no need to deliver films, and the images can be stored on computers or disks. Results produced by the Senographe 2000D are as accurate as normal mammogram films, and the digital mammography technology has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Regular screening mammograms can detect breast cancer several years before a lump can be found. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 97 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer at an early stage survive more than five years.

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