Carrington Medical Center unveils 3D mammography

Just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, CHI St. Alexius Carrington Medical Center unveiled its new 3D mammography machine.

CHI hosted an open house and ribbon cutting event on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at the hospital. Casey Zink and Kendra Beach, Imaging Services Co-Leads at CHI, showed Kiwanis Club members, Carrington Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and the public at large how the machine works.

In a traditional mammogram, the breast is compressed for a few seconds and two images are taken. The process is then repeated on the other breast to obtain a total of four images.

With 3D imaging, the machine collects a series of images that yields a three dimensional view of the entire breast. Doctors can easily view the series of images and see through the layers of tissue to find tumors that may be hiding inside. Any concerning areas are given an asterisk (*) by the radiologist for review by the doctor.

Zink said their goal is to reduce the number of additional images needed and subsequently the number of false positive tests. A false positive means that a woman does not have breast cancer, but the doctor detected something from the mammogram that warranted further imaging or a biopsy.

 The new machine is capable of performing both 2D and 3D screens, which is great because some insurance plans do not cover the cost of 3D imaging. Also, some patients may not be comfortable with the 20 second longer compression time required by 3D imaging. In either case, patients can decide to take the traditional four 2D images.

 Because a mammography is a preventative health care screening, is the only test in the radiology department that a patient that get without a doctor's order. Simply call the hospital and schedule an appointment.

 The experts at CHI recommend that all women age 40 and older get a mammogram once per year. Women with a family history of breast cancer might benefit from earlier screenings at the direction of their doctor. Most insurance plans do cover 100 percent of the cost of an annual mammogram, whether it's 2D or 3D. Check with your plan administrator to determine what is covered.

 "The sooner you find (cancer), the better your prognosis," said Zink.

 According to 2015 statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about 65 percent of women over the age of 40 have had a mammogram within the past two years. And Zink's claim is true. The U.S. has seen a 30 percent reduction in mortality from breast cancer in the last 20 years.

Mammography isn't just for women either. Beach explained that doctors may order mammograms for men, as breast cancer can develop in men, although its very rare. Less than 1 percent of all breast cancer cases develop in men, and only one in a thousand men will ever be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. However, Beach said doctors may order mammography for men to diagnose gynecomastia (guy-nuh-koh-MAS-tee-uh), or swelling of the breast tissue in boys or men, caused by an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone.

More improvements on the way

The new bariatric suite is also under construction at Carrington Medical Center. Jodi Hovdenes, Vice President of Patient Care, explained how a pod of four acute care rooms on the far east end of the hospital is being morphed into the new suite.

The room will have special features to aid in the care of larger patients, such as a lift, or track system, to get the patient from his or her bed and directly onto the toilet or into the shower when needed. The suite has been in progress for nearly two years.

The lift system will have a 1,000 lb. capacity and will operate on a rechargeable battery pack. Should the lift have technical difficulties, there will be a manual hydraulic lift device in the closet next door to the suite for immediate access and use.

 The suite will also have other uses. When not in use by a bariatric patient, Hovdenes said they plan to use the room for end-of-life or comfort care patients. The room will have a home-like atmosphere and space for relatives and friends to gather.

 The lift system will also be used by physical therapists when aiding patients who are learning to walk again. The harness, or sling, will make the session safer for both the patient and the caregiver by preventing falls.

 The project is expected to cost $260,000, and the hospital has raised $240,000 to date. Donations are welcome and appreciated. Hovdenes said the target date for completion of the bariatric suite is Dec. 14.