News

Hospital to Offer Digital Mammography

Athol Memorial Hospital will be offering state-of-the-art digital mammography as the latest addition to its diagnostic imaging services. The hospital has already implemented filmless radiology technology for all its other exams. The Board of Trustees, at their recent meeting, approved replacing the existing analog mammography unit with a digital version. Area residents will soon be able to have a digital mammography screening done locally at Athol Memorial Hospital.

Digital mammography captures an electronic image which is directly stored in a computer. Patient exam time is reduced. The images are immediately available and can be enhanced and magnified for detailed evaluation. Digital mammography is more sensitive than traditional mammography and especially beneficial when examining dense breast tissue.

“There are many reasons that factored into the decision to convert to digital mammography,” explained Steve Penka, FACHE, Athol Memorial President/CEO, “improved image quality and greater diagnostic accuracy among them. But the greatest benefit is that we will be providing improved breast cancer diagnostics. This means earlier detection and treatment, which in turn optimizes recovery and survival.”

According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 211,240 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U. S this year. Guidelines for mammography screenings for women of average risk are once a year for women over the age of fifty. The American Cancer Society also recommends annual mammograms for women aged forty to fifty years. Women who are at a higher than average risk (factors include a history of breast cancer, close relatives with breast cancer, especially lumpy or dense breasts) need to speak with their physicians about how often they need screenings.

Please call Athol Memorial Hospital’s Community Relations Manager at 978 249-1143 for more information.
January 26, 2009