NUMC ACQUIRES LATEST GENERATION OF DIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGY IN WOMEN’S IMAGING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2010
PRESS CONTACT:
Shelley Lotenberg
shelley@numc.edu
516-572-6055
NUMC ACQUIRES LATEST GENERATION OF DIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGY IN WOMEN’S IMAGING
HOLOGIC FULL FIELD DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY TECHNOLOGY, BONE DENSITOMETRY SYSTEM, ALONG WITH PHILLIPS IU22 ULTRASONOGRAPHY SYSTEM, ALL PURCHASED WITH $1.2 MILLION FUNDING FROM GITENSTEIN FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE SCREENING AND TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR INSURED AND UNINSURED WOMEN IN NASSAU COUNTY
EAST MEADOW, NY… In recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the NuHealth System announced that the Nassau University Medical Center’s National Mah Jongg League Foundation Breast Center, has installed the most comprehensive technology in diagnostic breast cancer screening through its operational Hologic Selena Dimension 2D full digital Mammography System, its Discover QDR bone densitometry system, along with its Phillips IU22 ultrasonography system, all purchased with a $1.2 million funding, obtained in October 2009 from the Kermit Gitenstein Foundation. The existing stereotactic breast biopsy system had been purchased a year ago through a grant from the National Mah Jongg League Foundation.
“We are grateful for the $1.2 million Kermit Gitenstein Foundation donation, used to purchase three full field Selenia Dimensions D digital units, two for the breast center and one for the mammography van, as well as the bone densitometry and ultrasonography system, all new equipment that, when coupled with the existing stereotactic equipment, will provide Nassau County women with the most advanced screening and diagnostic technology, helping to save lives,” said Gianelli. “Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we urge women to take advantage of NUMC’s state-of-the-art new women’s imaging technology and schedule a mammogram in our breast center.”
Selenia Dimensions 2D was designed from the ground up using patient, technologist and radiologist input from hundreds of screening sites. Everything in the new system has been optimized for image quality, patient comfort, faster imaging and lower radiology dosage. Digital mammography is revolutionizing the practice of mammography through its ability to yield high quality images at low radiation dose.
“The use of mammography and in particular, digital mammography has greatly enhanced the ability to detect breast cancer at an early stage, when it’s most treatable. Digital mammography detects significantly more cancers than screen-film mammography in women 50 and younger, premenopausal and premenopausal women, and women with dense breasts, allowing staff to see up to 33% more patients in the same time period, providing lower radiation dose with no compromise in image quality, enhancing patient care with needle localizations completed in twelve minutes, helping with the elimination of lost films and reducing recalls,” stated Steven Walerstein, MD, FACP, executive vice president for medical affairs and medical director at NUMC.
Breast ultrasound improves early detection and characteristics of breast tissue. The Phillips IU22 uses high frequency sound waves to look at breast tissue and obtains critical information, not available with traditional 2D views. The Discovery QDR bone densidometry system from Hologic is one of the best diagnostic tools to support the early detection and treatment of osteoporosis.
“The enhanced, comprehensive screening program at the National Mah Jongg League Foundation Breast Center at NUMC, provides a full complement of screening services and treatment options to approximately 90% of the uninsured women in Nassau County, and has performed over 95,000 mammography studies. The program remains one of the largest of its type in New York State, and the largest provider of mammography services to uninsured and underinsured women in all of Nassau County,” stated Chris Mancuso, RN, breast center coordinator.
Victor Scarmato, MD, chair of the radiology department at NUMC, added: “By offering women the latest technology in women’s health screening, NUMC hopes to increase the number of area women who should be routinely screened. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics indicate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her life. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s chance of survival. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 97 percent.”
“NUMC is committed to the fight against breast cancer. In offering a comprehensive women’s health imaging center, with all new and the latest in screening equipment, NUMC provides the latest in imaging quality. This center, with all the new equipment will help further our commitment to bridging the divide between the types of services available to all women.” concluded Gianelli.
If you would like to schedule a mammogram or have questions about this important breast health procedure, please contact the NUMC Breast Center at 516-572-6635.
ABOUT NUHEALTH
NuHealth is a Long Island health care organization delivering essential medical care and disease and lifestyle management to everyone at every stage of life. Also known as Nassau Health Care Corporation, NuHealth is a public benefit corporation managing the operations of Nassau Medical Center, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care and a network of Family Health Centers that bring primary and specialty care out into the community. By emphasizing wellness, cultural sensitivity and collaborative efforts with the North Shore-LIJ Health System, NuHealth is working to make good care more affordable and easier to access.
For more information about NuHealth or its Centers of Care, visit www.nuhealth.net.
