Hospital gives public demonstration of 3D mammogram technology
BRAWLEY — Pioneers Memorial Hospital is promising patients its new 3D mammogram technology will provide faster and more accurate results with less discomfort than traditional mammograms.
The hospital gave the public an opportunity to see a live demonstration of the technology at a press conference at its Walker auditorium on Thursday.
PMH is the first hospital in the Valley to acquire 3D mammogram equipment, having done so in May. Frank Salazar, Pioneers’ director of marketing and public affairs, said typical cost of the procedure is around $135.
The biggest advantage to the equipment is accuracy. With the traditional 2D scan, breast images often are not clearly seen due to an overlapping of breast tissue. That overlapping sometimes results in false positives or not being able to properly detect cancer, said Dr. Shahrouz Tahvilian, a radiologist affiliated with PMH.
“This 3D mammogram is like a CAT scan,” Dr. George Rapp, another radiologist affiliated with PMH, explained. The machine has a compression paddle that provides uniform density within the breast and allows the radiologist to see individual layers of breast tissues.
“The 2D mammogram display could cause breast overlapping of breast tissue, especially for women with bigger breasts,” Rapp said.
Former patient Betty Guerra played the part of a patient to show how the 3D machine worked.
“This (compression paddle) helps to keep patients from moving, and it allows the machine to provide a clear photo,” mammography technician Ashley Preciado, explained.
The 3D mammogram allows for fewer callbacks by the healthcare provider. The machine provides clear images of each layered tissue. Preciado said it is much faster than the 2D scanner and allows for instant images to be displayed.
This helps reduce the wait time for patients. “The detailing provided by the machine has allowed for a reduced amount of false positives, and with each layer being displayed, radiologists are able to detect cancer faster than with their 2D,” Tahvilian said.
With the mammogram able to detect cancer sooner, it can help reduce the chance of needing a more invasive procedures, Preciado said.
“The 3D mammogram has received much better reviews than the 2D.” She added it is much faster, and women say it is more comfortable compared to 2D equipment.
“This event is to bring not only the awareness, but more importantly to have a conversation on the different services that Pioneers Memorial offers for women’s health. The conversation needs to be had on a daily basis, and it is important that people become aware of technology being offered here in the Imperial County without having to go to San Diego to receive a treatment,” said Salazar.