Advanced Technology Will Help Women Get Screenings Closer to Home
3D Mammography will soon be available in Ontario and surrounding areas in part thanks to a $177,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. The addition of this state-of-the-art imaging means Western Treasure Valley women will no longer have to travel to Nampa or Boise for this advanced breast cancer screening.
“As a nurse and someone who’s had breast cancer, I am thrilled we will be able to offer the latest, most accurate technology for women in our rural communities. They will have peace of mind, knowing that they are getting the most accurate testing available,” said Sue Lzicar, RN, a nurse navigator at the Ontario Breast Care Center at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Ontario. “3D mammography produces clearer images and detects up to 41% more breast cancers.”
Lzicar said another advantage is that the new technology greatly reduces the need for repeat visits to capture additional views.
The project is also being funded by a $250,000 Trinity Health Preserving Our Legacy Grant, and $5,000 in local donations through the Saint Alphonsus Ontario Foundation. Saint Alphonsus first applied for the Murdock Charitable Trust grant in November, 2018.
“Community members, employee giving campaigns and events all added up to this donation. We’re proud of our hospital’s excellent customer service and happy we’ll no longer have to send patients out of the area for this advanced screening,” said Jeanette Davidson-Mayer, chair of the Saint Alphonsus Ontario Foundation.
The new 3D tomography unit will be installed at the Breast Care Center at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Ontario in approximately six months.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 268,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women in 2019. There is a 1 in 8 chance a woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. The American Cancer Society recommends that women at average risk for breast cancer start annual mammograms at age 45.
“With a mission to serve individuals, families and communities across the Pacific Northwest, the Trust is pleased to partner with Saint Alphonsus – Ontario to better serve the healthcare needs of women in this rural region, who deserve the highest standard of care,” said Dr. Moses Lee, Senior Director for Scientific Research and Enrichment Programs at the Murdock Trust.
More on 3D mammography:
Formally known as breast tomosynthesis, this imaging test uses multiple breast X-rays to create a three-dimensional picture of the breast. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies show the technology reduces the need for additional imaging and slightly increases the number of cancers detected in screening. It produces more clear images than traditional 2D mammography in women with dense breast tissue.
More on the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust:
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust is a foundation based in Vancouver, Washington, which seeks to enrich life in the Pacific Northwest by providing grants and program funding to non-profit organization. It makes grants in the areas of health and human needs, scientific research, arts, culture and education. For more information about the Murdock Trust, visit www.murdocktrust.org.