Einstein Mammography Goes All Digital

Digital Technology Improves Odds of Early Detection of Breast Cancer

Philadelphia, PA, October 24, 2006 – With the installation of four full-field digital mammography units in its screening and diagnostics areas, the Marion-Louise Saltzman Women’s Center at the Albert Einstein Medical Center has gone all digital for breast imaging, a first in Philadelphia hospitals.

Both digital and film mammography use X-rays to produce an image of the breast; however, digital mammography offers a new ability to process and view the images. This results in greater flexibility for the radiologist in interpreting the images. Much like a digital photo, the images can be enhanced, manipulated, and improved by the radiologist, so a digital mammogram can provide more information for diagnosis.

“National breast cancer survival rates have been improving since 1990, largely due to early detection. Digital mammography increases early detection rates particularly in pre-menopausal and young women. Now Einstein Medical Center is able provide this early detection technology for women who live in the Philadelphia area,” according to Debra Somers-Copit, MD, Director of Breast Imaging

Since the breast images are digital, a patient’s mammography can be easily e-mailed to other physicians for quick consultations with other cancer specialists, primary care physicians and surgeons.

In addition, digital mammography takes less time and allows for almost twice as many mammograms to be taken in a day versus using film, decreasing the backlog of patients waiting appointments.

The Marion-Louise Saltzman Women’s Center also has increased its diagnostic ultrasound facilities and updated the physical setting for meeting patients’ breast health needs.

At the Center, experts in women’s physical and emotional needs are dedicated to optimizing patients’ health by detecting and diagnosing health issues early. The Center not only treats women but also educates them about their bodies and empowers them to make decisions about their care.

The Marion-Louise Saltzman Women’s Center is located on the campus of Albert Einstein Medical Center, 5501 Old York Road, at Broad Street and Olney Avenue. The Center is situated behind MossRehab on Tabor Road, between 11th and 12th Streets. The Center is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and some Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon. For an appointment, call 1-800-EINSTEIN.

Contact: Alexis Moore
Communications Director
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
215-456-6734
MooreAl@einstein.edu

Publish date: October 24, 2006