The Saint Vincent Women’s Center is using new state-of-the-art technology to aid in the fight against breast cancer. The Center is piloting a Computer-aided Detection System (CAD) called The ImageChecker for use in breast cancer screening to assist radiologists in reducing false negative mammograms.
Several recent studies have shown that the implementation of CAD in a mammographically screened population could detect up to 23.4% more cancers than are currently detected with screening mammography alone in those women who had a prior screening mammogram 9-24 months earlier.
The ImageChecker CAD system is used in conjunction with film-based mammography. The system's specialized software analyzes the image and draws the radiologist's attention to features that may be indicative of cancer. The radiologist typically first reviews the entire mammogram and then activates the CAD system display monitor to observe highlighted areas for additional review. If an image is marked, the radiologist then re-examines the mammogram focusing on these designated areas and decides whether or not additional imaging and/or clinical evaluation is necessary.
"Bringing the ImageChecker to the region shows the depth of Saint Vincent's commitment to the health of the women of this region," said Denise Fabian, Administrative Director of the Saint Vincent Women’s Center.
She noted that The Saint Vincent Women’s Center also provides minimally invasive stereotactic and ultrasound guided biopsies which are the standard of care around the nation, as well as diagnostic mammography examinations, breast ultrasound examinations, galactography, scintomammography and sentinel node localization in conjunction with the department of nuclear medicine at Saint Vincent Health Center.
"We understand the priority of breast health for today's women. We have responded to this by offering normal mammogram results within 24 hours, and quick turnaround appointments for women needing additional diagnostic breast testing. We have also implemented extended hours for our screening services to better accommodate our patients," said Fabian.
Because radiologists at the Women's Center review mammography screenings taken at the Saint Vincent Outpatient Center at Union City, patients who receive mammograms at that facility will also benefit from CAD technology.
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