Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Oct 17, 2013) — The Jamestown Regional Medical Center Foundation held North Dakota’s first 3D Mammography event Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the JRMC Apple Basket Café.  Photos by Matt Sheppard for CSiNewsNOW.com

     

 

In attendance was North Dakota’s first lady Betsy Dalrymple.

JRMC is the first facility in North Dakota to offer 3D mammography for breast cancer screening. 3D mammography (breast tomosynthesis) helps radiologists identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue.

Mammographer Dawn McCarty explained how the 3D mammography, machine works, using images from both the 2D and 3D machines as examples.

She said, 40 percent more invasive breast cancer is found with the 3D machine, but the cancer is found in stage 0 — its earliest stage, adding that “Early detection does save lives.”

JRMC Foundation Director, Lisa Jackson said, in the three weeks that JRMC’s 3D mammography machine has been in use, it has already detected one cancer.

JRMC Medical Director of Imaging, Dr. Gary Wade, took questions from the audience about the new machine.

Private 3D mammography tours, were given, with the Pink Ribbon Cutting at 11-a.m.

The center’s Selenia® Dimensions® 3D mammography system is made by Hologic, a world leader in digital mammography. 3D mammography offers exceptionally sharp breast images, an advanced ergonomic design providing more patient comfort, and the ground-breaking 3D mammography platform designed to deliver superior screening and diagnostic performance.

Breast cancer screening with 3D mammography when combined with a conventional 2D mammography has a higher cancer detection rate than conventional 2D mammography alone. Radiologists are reporting that 3D mammography technology gives them increased confidence with a significant reduction in recall rates.

During a 3D mammogram 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.

By offering women the latest technology in mammography, JRMC hopes to increase the number of area women who will be routinely screened. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics indicate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s chance of survival. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent.

JRMC is committed to the fight against breast cancer. In offering 3D mammography, JRMC provides the latest in imaging quality. If you would like to schedule a mammogram or have questions about this important breast health procedure, please contact JRMC Radiology at (701) 952-4852.

About Jamestown Regional Medical Center

Jamestown Regional Medical Center is a 25-bed, critical access hospital located at 2422 20th St. SW, Jamestown, ND. For more information on services at JRMC, visit www.jrmcnd.com or call 701-952-1050.