NWA Gets New Tool in Fight Against Breast Cancer
By: Neile Jones
Updated: July 19, 2012
The Mana Breast Center In Fayetteville now has a new tool to help in the fight against breast cancer.In this Pink Courage report KNWA's Neile Jones takes a look at this new technology. A first of it's kind in the natural state.
Gloria Flores-Passmore says around this time last year her life changed, "I had a mammogram and it came back saying that you know we didn't find anything. Then I went to my gynecologist for my physical and she said, 'um you've got a lump here. When was your last mammogram? A year ago?' I said, no just a few weeks ago and she said, " You need to go back." Gloria says after several test and a biopsy she learned she did in fact have stage one breast cancer. And she would eventually decide on a mastectomy as part of her treatment.
Doctor Stacy Smith-Foley with The Mana Breast Center says about 40-percent of women in the U.S. have dense breast tissue, "For them the mammogram is imperfect and misses some cancers." Smith-Foley Says now There Is A New Tool Now Available at her office called The Sono Cine Automated Whole Breast Ultra Sound, "This will give us another opportunity to find some of those cancers that would have been missed just with a mammogram." The equipment is specifically designed for women with dense breast tissue. Women like Gloria, who is now a breast cancer survivor, "We are here a year later and even though I'm cancer free I want to really know I'm cancer free." We caught up with her during an ultra sound follow up using the new technology.
"We use a standard ultra sound probe, but we use a freestanding articulating arm that's attached to a computer that precisely scans the breast in a certain fashion so we make sure we include all of the tissue." says Smith-Foley. The images are stored in a loop that can be viewed on a computer screen by radiologist. Smith-Foley says radiologist look for areas that come in and out of focus. Areas that are irregular in the breast tissue.
Gloria will get her results in a few days. Both she and Doctor Smith-Foley say this type of ultra sound can save time which can ultimately save lives. And with a smile Gloria reminds everyone to remember "The sooner you catch it the longer you have to live."
In case your wondering, A screening with this new device cost about $275.00. Dr. Smith-Foley says most insurance companies don't cover the test but to keep in mind this is an option that patients can now choose in the fight against breast cancer.
Gloria Flores-Passmore says around this time last year her life changed, "I had a mammogram and it came back saying that you know we didn't find anything. Then I went to my gynecologist for my physical and she said, 'um you've got a lump here. When was your last mammogram? A year ago?' I said, no just a few weeks ago and she said, " You need to go back." Gloria says after several test and a biopsy she learned she did in fact have stage one breast cancer. And she would eventually decide on a mastectomy as part of her treatment.
Doctor Stacy Smith-Foley with The Mana Breast Center says about 40-percent of women in the U.S. have dense breast tissue, "For them the mammogram is imperfect and misses some cancers." Smith-Foley Says now There Is A New Tool Now Available at her office called The Sono Cine Automated Whole Breast Ultra Sound, "This will give us another opportunity to find some of those cancers that would have been missed just with a mammogram." The equipment is specifically designed for women with dense breast tissue. Women like Gloria, who is now a breast cancer survivor, "We are here a year later and even though I'm cancer free I want to really know I'm cancer free." We caught up with her during an ultra sound follow up using the new technology.
"We use a standard ultra sound probe, but we use a freestanding articulating arm that's attached to a computer that precisely scans the breast in a certain fashion so we make sure we include all of the tissue." says Smith-Foley. The images are stored in a loop that can be viewed on a computer screen by radiologist. Smith-Foley says radiologist look for areas that come in and out of focus. Areas that are irregular in the breast tissue.
Gloria will get her results in a few days. Both she and Doctor Smith-Foley say this type of ultra sound can save time which can ultimately save lives. And with a smile Gloria reminds everyone to remember "The sooner you catch it the longer you have to live."
In case your wondering, A screening with this new device cost about $275.00. Dr. Smith-Foley says most insurance companies don't cover the test but to keep in mind this is an option that patients can now choose in the fight against breast cancer.
