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UT Medical Center
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UT Medical Center Rolls Out All Digital Breast Cancer Screenings
Published: Thursday, March 5, 2009
New technology in screening vehicle completes conversion to all digital breast center The University of Tennessee Medical Center’s mobile mammography unit now offers to women throughout the region a fully digital system for breast cancer screenings. The rollout of the newly equipped mobile unit completes the conversion to all digital equipment for breast cancer screening services at UT Medical Center’s Breast Center. A $358,000 grant from the Avon Foundation funded the conversion of the large vehicle used by UT Medical Center throughout the region for screening mammograms and breast health education.
“The full integration of a digital system, both inside the Breast Center and on the mobile, benefits our patients by allowing more precise images and a more detailed examination,” said Dr. Kathy Hudson, medical director of the Breast Center at UT Medical Center. “This especially is beneficial in younger women and those with dense breast tissue. We’ve observed the capabilities of our all digital equipment inside the Breast Center. Extending that state-of-the-art technology into the community through our mobile unit is very exciting and will be a tremendous asset for women throughout East Tennessee.”
The AVON Foundation grant resulted in the mobile mammography unit being upgraded with a full field MAMMOMAT Novation digital mammography system from Siemens Medical Solutions. The new digital system in the mobile mammography unit allows for easier and more comfortable screening mammograms for patients. Other benefits include lower X-ray dosage and the direct conversion of X-rays into digital images. Because the technologist can view images immediately, image quality can be confirmed on the spot, eliminating the need for technical recalls.
“We are very thankful to the Avon Foundation for funding this new equipment through its grant program and assisting us in our fight against breast cancer,” said Dr. John L. Bell, director of the UT Medical Center Cancer Institute. “Reaching underserved women with education and screening is the mission of the Cancer Institute’s Breast Health Outreach Program and we look forward to offering this advanced breast imaging technology throughout the entire area we serve.”
The Breast Health Outreach Program at UT Medical Center serves 25 counties throughout East Tennessee by providing breast health education and screening mammograms. The staff of the medical center’s mobile mammography unit provides screening mammograms to more than 3,800 women annually in the region. For more information about the Breast Health Outreach Program, call 865.305.9753 or visit online at Cancer Institute.
With one new diagnosis made every three minutes, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the United States. Breast cancer claims the life of one woman in this country every 14 minutes. While significant advances continue in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, early detection remains the best opportunity for a successful outcome and cure.
About the Avon Foundation
The Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, was launched in 1955 with a single scholarship of $400 and has grown to be a leader in the breast cancer and domestic violence causes worldwide. By the end of 2008, Avon philanthropy will have raised and awarded more than $660 million in over 50 countries in support of the mission to improve the lives of women globally. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992 and focuses on advancing access to care for all, regardless of ability to pay, and eradicating breast cancer. Funds are awarded for breast cancer education and awareness; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and medical research. The Speak Out Against Domestic Violence initiative was launched in 2004, focusing on awareness, education, direct service programs and prevention, with a special emphasis on children affected by domestic violence. More information: www.avonfoundation.org.