On average, one in eight women in West Central Illinois will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Passavant Area Hospital is committed to reducing that number.
In June of 2015, Passavant installed the 3D tomosynthesis screening technology. Lead Mammography Technologist Amanda Vortman estimates more than 500 mammography tests take place at Passavant each month, with the machines normally booked days in advance.
Vortman explains what the 3D tomosynthesis machine does.
“It takes individual slices of the breast and conforms them into a two denominational picture. Rather than getting one image per exposure, now there is an average of about 75. It dissects the breast so radiologists can look into the breast to get better details. They are looking for masses and distortions, which all can be early indicators for breast cancer.”
Vortman says the 3D tomosynthesis machine increases the detection of invasive breast cancer by 40 percent. With the new technology and experts technicians at Passavant, Vortman says early detection can lead to a 98 percent survival rate.
Yearly mammograms and breast examinations are recommended for women over 40 years old.
Contact your primary care physician for more information or to schedule an appointment at Passavant.