Mammography continues to be the first line of defense against breast cancer. Union Hospital is working to make mammography convenient, comfortable, and as timely as possible for women in the community. With 25 years experience in mammography, Beckie Huff has helped create the Breast Center program at Union Hospital that serves thousands of patients every year.
Beckie Huff, Breast Center Coordinator (standing)
and Debbie Hursey, Readiologic Technologist, (seated)
are two of the Union Hospital mammography staff
providing excellent patient care.
?A skilled and compassionate staff, comfortable facilities, and flexible scheduling are examples of the ways we?re focusing on patient needs and preferences.?
Quality care also demands technical excellence. Digital mammography technology at UH obtains high quality images with fewer breast compressions for less discomfort and reduced exposure to what is already a very low amount of radiation. Another advantage to digital mammography is the use of CAD?Computer Aided Detection. CAD assists the radiology physician interpret the image and provides a ?second look? at possible abnormal areas that might require additional imaging.
?It?s not unusual for the radiologist to ask for additional imaging to ensure accuracy. When that happens I will immediately contact the patient to schedule them back for the needed exam.?
The additional imaging might include different mammography views, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), depending on the patient?s needs.
?And if a biopsy is required, the physician can recommend a variety of procedures. Options might include Stereotactic Core Biopsy and Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy, two less invasive procedures that we offer at Union Hospital.?
An important part of Beckie?s role as Breast Center Coordinator is to reduce her patients? levels of anxiety.
?Getting that phone call, waiting for testing, and waiting again for results is a stressful process. The physicians in our community have worked with the Breast Center at Union Hospital to reduce this process from weeks to a few days or even hours.?
?While the majority of our patients? mammograms produce normal results the fact remains that an annual mammogram is still among the best ways to detect breast cancer early, when it is most treatable.?
Women with a doctor?s order for mammography can call Union Hospital Central Scheduling at (330) 364-0888. Appointments are available weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30 to 11:00 a.m.
The American Cancer Society screening guidelines were affirmed in 2010.
?Breast self-examination starting at age 20
?Clinical breast exam about every three years ages 20-39
?Baseline mammogram between 35 and 40
?Annual mammogram and clinical exam starting age 40.
