Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month in a big way this week.
The local hospital announced the official opening of its newly upgraded Breast Imaging department equipment fleet which they say will enhance both cancer detection and patient comfort, and “creating an exceptional care experience for patients.”
The installation consists of four new Hologic 3Dimensions Mammography units with advanced 3D technology (also known as digital breast tomosynthesis).
“RVH’s renowned Leading Regional High Risk Breast Imaging Program has elevated the breast cancer screening process,” says a media handout. “The innovative technology allows radiologists to look at the breast in ‘slices,’ improving chances of detecting breast cancer, while also reducing the likelihood of recalls for follow-up testing.”
The new technology also offers higher quality images for increased cancer detection.
No one is happier about the improved tech than Laura Gordon of Muskoka, who is a patient that has reaped the benefits of the increased cancer detection abilities.
Due to family history of breast cancer, she was allowed to start having mammograms earlier at the age of 36, she tells BarrieToday.
Gordon says breast tissue is dense, and at 39, she had a growth that wasn’t getting picked up by regular technology at the time.
She says she felt it and knew the cancer was there.
The difference between a traditional 2D and a new 3D mammogram was enough to pick up her cancer, three tumours in one of her breasts, and one in her lymph nodes.
“I had a mammogram a year before, which showed no signs of these four tumours,” she says. “The equipment here could see in and pick up what a 2D mammogram couldn’t.”
It’s potentially life-saving technology, as timing is so important when it comes to cancer detection.
After four months of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, she is relieved to have beaten it.
“It was a long journey,” says Gordon, “I’m so thankful, and I wish more people would know about the difference in technology.”
She says she is a strong proponent of advocating for yourself to go somewhere else and utilize new tech when it comes to breast cancer screening.
“You know your own body. I was the one that found it. I just knew it was there.”
Comfort for patients during screening is an important part of the design of the new machines.
They feature a curved compression surface which offers a more comfortable patient experience without compromising image quality, exam time or dose.
“Breast imaging is a cornerstone of our Medical Imaging Program,” says Dr. Raj Grover, medical director, Medical Imaging at RVH. “A visit to this department is often the first experience that a woman has at RVH. We are fortunate to have state-of-the-art equipment which broadens the services that we are able to provide, as well as caring and professional staff who facilitate a welcoming and comfortable experience for the more than 20,000 patients we see each year from across our region.”
RVH’s purchase of the new equipment was made possible, in part, by contributions to the RVH Foundation from over 1,900 different donors.