Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward MageeNews.com a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
Lackey Memorial Hospital now provides all women with a Genius™ 3D Mammography™ exam, along with a MammoPad® breast cushion and SmartCurve™ system, which can make the exam more comfortable and comprehensive.
The Genius 3D Mammography™ exam, developed by Hologic, Inc., is a worldwide leader in Women’s Health. Utilizing advanced breast tomosynthesis technology, Genius exams are clinically proven to significantly increase the detection of breast cancers, and also decrease the number of women asked to return for additional testing.1-7
In conventional 2D Mammography, overlapping tissue is a leading reason why small breast cancers may be missed and normal tissue may appear abnormal, leading to unnecessary callbacks. A Genius exam includes a three-dimensional method of imaging that can greatly reduce the tissue overlap effect. In addition, a Genius exam requires no additional compression and takes just a few seconds longer than a conventional 2D breast cancer screening exam.
In addition to enhancing image quality, Lackey is also offering the MammoPad breast cushion and the SmartCurve breast stabilization system to improve patient comfort. MammoPad breast cushions are single-use, latex-free foam cushions that attach to the image receptor (table) of the mammography device. The radiolucent breast cushion is invisible to X-rays and does not interfere with the image quality of the mammogram.
This creates a warmer, softer and more comfortable mammogram experience. Mammography technologists report that the MammoPad breast cushion makes it easier for patients to relax. This enables technologists to better position the breast, allowing them to acquire more tissue for the best imaging results.
Lackey Memorial Hospital is also one of the first in Mississippi to offer the SmartCurve™ breast stabilization system, which is clinically proven to deliver a more comfortable mammogram without compromising image quality, workflow or dose.
The SmartCurve system features a curved surface that mirrors the shape of a woman’s breast to reduce pinching and allow better distribution of force over the entire breast. In a recent clinical study comparing the SmartCurve breast stabilization system to traditional flat paddle compression, the SmartCurve system improved comfort in 93 percent of women who reported moderate to severe discomfort with standard compression.1 In addition, 95 percent of those surveyed would recommend facilities that use the system.1
Lackey Memorial Hospital is committed to the fight against breast cancer. In offering the Genius exam, Lackey provides a more accurate tool for breast cancer screening. ‘We’re excited to provide this first-of-its-kind technology to our patients and remain committed to offering the women of our community the best healthcare possible,” Sydney Sawyer, RN, CEO. “Our radiology technicians are extensively trained regarding this technology and equipment. That knowledge and expertise, along with their compassionate care, are part of our commitment to quality healthcare locally.”
This latest innovation is part of Lackey’s ongoing commitment to superior breast cancer detection and has the potential to increase screening volume and compliance for the countless women who have reported avoiding regular mammograms due in large part to the fear of discomfort associated with breast compression.
“With this new technology, we are not only able to provide a more comfortable mammogram, but can do so while maintaining clinical accuracy, which is key,” said Michea McLemore, Director of Radiology. “Mammograms play such a critical role in the early detection of breast cancer and we’re hopeful that with the addition of our new Genius 3D Mammography exam and the combination of the SmartCurve system and the MammoPad cushion, we’ll be able to lessen the pain and anxiety associated with mammograms and, as a result, increase screening compliance.”
The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that early detection of breast cancer greatly increases a woman’s chances for survival, and the best opportunity to detect cancer early is to have an annual mammogram, states the ACS. The American Medical Association, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and many other healthcare organizations recommend that women 40 and older receive mammograms yearly., Yet despite the importance of this message, nearly 30 percent of women in the United States do not get annual mammograms. Studies have shown that pain, or fear of pain, are major reasons some women do not return for annual mammograms—or refuse to get the exam altogether.
Lackey Memorial Hospital is a certified Softer Mammogram Provider™ facility, a distinction awarded only to an elite group of healthcare facilities that offer the MammoPad breast cushion as their standard of care. The center’s mission is to increase the number of women in the area who follow recommendations for regular screenings.
If you would like to schedule a Genius 3D Mammography™ exam, or have questions about this important breast health procedure, please contact Michea McLemore at 601-469-9944.
MageeNews.com is an online news website covering Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the state of Mississippi.
