Community support funds women’s diagnostic upgrades at Banner Boswell
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Jan. 26, 2011) – Thanks to generous community contributions through Sun Health Foundation, Banner Boswell Medical Center is enhancing technology in its Women’s Diagnostic Services department to help detect breast cancers in their early stages, when they are most treatable.
This month, the Sun City hospital completed upgrades to its stereotactic breast biopsy table. The digital enhancements allow physicians to see more micro-calcifications within the breast tissue, with hopes of decreasing the need for as many surgical biopsies.
“We utilize stereotactic breast biopsies in appropriate circumstances, typically with a mass that’s easily definable and needs biopsy, micro-calcifications or distortions,” said Steven Charney, MD, interventional radiologist and medical director of Banner Boswell’s Medical Imaging department. “The goal is to improve the visualization of the micro-calcifications, thereby improving the whole biopsy process.”
Other recent additions supported by community donations through Sun Health Foundation include a new digital mammography unit and a portable specimen radiographic unit, used to X-ray breast biopsy specimens in the operating room.
“Providing exceptional women’s health services is a core health care priority, particularly in a time when the latest diagnostic and screening tools enable us to detect potential problems earlier in the evaluation process,” said Sun Health Chief Executive Ron Guziak. “We’re grateful for the community support that continues to enable Sun Health Foundation to partner with local Banner Health facilities to respond to these immediate women’s health needs via this highly demanded technology.”
The technology enhancements follow digital upgrades made last May when the hospital’s outpatient mammography services moved to Banner Lakes Imaging Center across from Banner Boswell at 10474 W. Thunderbird Blvd., Suite 100. Interventional breast services, including stereotactic biopsies and ultrasound biopsies of the breast, remain at the main hospital in conjunction with Medical Imaging.
According to the American Cancer Society, many breast cancers are diagnosed as larger, more advanced cancers simply because too much time has elapsed from the date of the last normal mammogram. This is why women should talk with their doctors about a plan for receiving regular mammograms according to recommended guidelines in addition to monthly breast self examinations.
Mammography utilizing digital technology produces images of better clarity and accuracy than traditional screen-film mammography that results in the detection of up to 28 percent more cancers, particularly in women under age 50, women with dense breast tissue, and pre-or peri-menopausal women. Additionally, digital mammography administers lower doses of radiation to patients and it detects cancers in their early stages, when they are most treatable.
To schedule your routine mammogram, call (623) 876-5652. For more information on ways to support Banner Boswell’s Women’s Diagnostic Services program through Sun Health Foundation, visit www.SunHealthFoundation.org or call (623) 876-5330.
About Banner Boswell Medical Center
Banner Boswell Medical Center is a 430-bed, acute-care hospital located in Sun City, Arizona. Founded in 1970, Banner Boswell offers heart services, cancer care, orthopedics, neurosciences, women’s diagnostics, emergency care, and medical and surgical services. Supporting Banner Boswell’s mission of excellent patient care is Sun Health, which encourages charitable giving to enhance health care delivery. Banner Boswell is part of nonprofit Banner Health, named a Top Ten Hospital System in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters, with 23 hospitals throughout the West. For more information about Banner Boswell, visit www.BannerHealth.com/Boswell.
Contact:
Lisa Guinn
(623) 876-5704
