This year alone, over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully in the past decade, the number of deaths attributed to this disease have decreased due to early detection.
“Mammography has made a huge difference in the number of women surviving breast cancer,” says Ramona Pickens, Outpatient Director for Providence Hospital’s Breast Center. “That is why we are so excited about our new ImageChecker system that increases the effectiveness of our mammograms."
Providence Hospital recently joined Duke University Medical Center and the University of Alabama at Birmingham in adding the latest computer-aided diagnosis system to their Breast Center. The ImageChecker is the first FDA approved computer-aided detection system for screening mammograms.
According to the American Cancer Society, the ImageChecker helps identify abnormal areas on a mammogram by converting the image into a digital signal that can be analyzed by a computer. The bottom-line? The ImageChecker increases the detection rate by drawing attention to areas that may warrant a second look.
“Our primary concern at Providence is our patients,” says Pickens. “When we became aware of the ImageChecker, we wanted to bring it to the women of the community to further our commitment in the battle against breast cancer.”
Studies have shown that radiologists can increase cancer detection rates by up to 24% when interpreting mammograms with the aid of the ImageChecker—a meaningful increase with early detection being the key to higher survival rates and better prognosis. “It is a way of making sure we get the most information possible from each mammogram,” explains Pickens.
Many specialists are encouraged by new computer-aided diagnosis technology such as ImageChecker that promises future breakthroughs in detection and treatment.
For more information about ImageChecker technology, talk to your doctor or call the Providence Breast Center at 251-639-2889 or visit our website at www.providencehospital.org.
