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Canton-Potsdam Hospital touts new mammography service that has FDA approval

Posted 6/17/16

POTSDAM -- Canton-Potsdam Hospital says their Siemens Mammomat Inspiration PRIME with Tomosynthesis 3D digital mammography service is now the only one in St. Lawrence County. Tey say they have with …

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Canton-Potsdam Hospital touts new mammography service that has FDA approval

Posted

POTSDAM -- Canton-Potsdam Hospital says their Siemens Mammomat Inspiration PRIME with Tomosynthesis 3D digital mammography service is now the only one in St. Lawrence County.

Tey say they have with FDA approval for stand-alone 3D screening and diagnosis of cancerous breast tumors in patients with dense and/or fibrocystic breast tissue.

“FDA approval followed a radiology reader study in which participating radiologists demonstrated their ability to increase cancer detection at a lower radiation dose than combined 2D and 3D digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT),” a news release from CPH says. “In the study, radiologists decreased average recall rates by up to 14 percent without the need for a 2D image.”

For patients, this means lower exposure to radiation, fewer repeat exams (and thus avoidable costs associated with repeat exams), and greater precision in detecting and diagnosing breast cancer, according to hospital officials, according to CPH.

“With this FDA-approved 3D-only option, providers and their patients now have digital mammography that demonstrates statistically superior results over 2D and first-generation 3D units used as a stand-alone breast exam,” said Dr. Michael Maresca, chief of radiology and chief of the medical staff at CPH. “We know some providers may still choose to order both 2D and 3D, but for those who use this stand-alone platform, they can do so with confidence, knowing our second-generation 3D is a proven option as exemplified by the FDA approval.”

According to Maresca, unlike images on film, digital mammography allows radiologists to enhance contrast and enlarge images so that tumors can be better distinguished from surrounding tissue. On traditional analog (film), tumors appear white, and when a woman’s breast tissue is dense (as it is in the case of approximately 50% of women), the surrounding tissue also appears white, which he says makes detection difficult. Up until the recent Siemens development and this FDA approval, doctors typically ordered 2D as well as first-generation 3D mammography for patients with dense breasts. While there may remain individual cases where this is the desired approach, combined 2D and 3D imaging is more costly and causes the patient to be exposed to greater doses of radiation than 3D alone, according to Maresca.

“In New York State, by law everyone who is determined to have dense breasts as shown on a mammogram must be informed,” said Patricia A. Decosse, lead mammography technologist. “We send a letter to our patients who have been determined to have dense breasts,” she said. “If we’ve found something that needs a closer look, you want to have the best possible option available, and that’s what we have with this FDA-approved Siemens Mammomat Inspiration PRIME … You want something proven.”

St. Lawrence County and Jefferson County have a high incidence of breast cancer, according to the New York State Cancer Registry. The average annual incidence rate per 100,000 women in St. Lawrence County is 101, compared to just under 30 in downstate counties like Westchester. In Jefferson County, the average annual incidence rate is 115 per 100,000 women. More women in St. Lawrence County and Jefferson County die from breast cancer than in other parts of New York State.

Maresca says that early detection makes breast cancer much more treatable.

“Mammography continues to be the gold-standard screening tool. Every woman should have a conversation about mammography with her primary care practitioner,” he said. “Every woman is a unique individual. The best time to start screening will depend on a whole host of factors, like family history and physical make-up that only your doctor and you can determine,” he said.

People seeking moree information about mammography at CPH can contact their primary care provider or contact Decosse at 265-3300, extension 1126.

Women who are uninsured or have a high deductible may access mammography by calling the St. Lawrence County Cancer Services Program, 261-4760, extension 225.