Bend Memorial Clinic adding 3-D mammography
Bend Memorial Clinic said Tuesday it “has solidified its reputation as Central Oregon’s leader with regard to imaging and radiology,” by becoming the region’s first provider of Hologic 3D Mammography for breast cancer screening.
The new 3D mammography screening, to be available to patients starting Oct. 1, produces a three-dimensional view of the breast tissue that helps radiologists identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue from traditional mammography screenings, officials said.
Breast cancer is the second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death among women. Statistics indicate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime, and the stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s chance of survival.
“The five-year breast cancer survival rate is 96 percent if detected early, and this new technology gives us our best opportunity yet for early detection and diagnosis,” said Dr. James Ockner, a radiologist at Bend Memorial Clinic.
“We believe 3D mammography will benefit all screening and diagnostic mammography patients, and is especially valuable for women receiving a baseline screening, those who have dense breast tissue and women with a personal history of breast cancer.”
In the June 25th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a groundbreaking study was published that found Hologic’s 3D mammography screening technology significantly increased cancer detection while simultaneously reducing the number of false positives.
Researchers found that 3D mammography finds significantly more invasive or lethal cancers than a traditional mammogram. According to the study’s results, 3D mammography also reduces the number of women called back for unnecessary screenings due to false alarms. That reduces anxiety, as well as health care costs.
Significant findings include:
A 41% increase in the detection of invasive breast cancers. (p<.001)
A 29% increase in the detection of all breast cancers. (p<.001)
A 15% decrease in women recalled for additional imaging. (p<.001)
A 49% increase in Positive Predictive Value (PPV) for a recall. (p<.001)
A 21% increase in PPV for biopsy. (p<.001)
No significant change in the detection of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
The Hologic 3D mammography screening experience is similar to a traditional mammogram. During a 3D mammography exam, multiple, low-dose images of the breast are acquired at different angles. These images are then used to produce a series of one-millimeter thick slices that can be viewed as a 3D reconstruction of the breast.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women at average risk for breast cancer should have a mammogram every year starting at age 40, and a clinical breast exam every three years from ages 20-39 and annually after age 40. For more information or to schedule a Hologic 3D mammogram screening, call 541-382-4900 or visit bmctotalcare.com.
About Bend Memorial Clinic
Bend Memorial Clinic includes more than 120 providers representing 30 specialties including Urgent Care, Primary Care, Specialty Care, Imaging and Clinical Services. With five locations BMC is the largest multi-specialty group in Central Oregon and provides quality, convenient healthcare known as TotalCare™. The Clinic has provided primary and specialty care since 1946. For more information, please visit www.bendmemorialclinic.com.
