RONAN — Some new technology in the Mission Valley will help men and women manage their breast health without having to travel nearly as far.
St. Luke Hospital in Ronan just purchased a new 3D mammogram machine that will serve the 30,000 residents who need this kind of care after a final fundraising push by the hospital foundation made it possible.
3D mammography produces many X-ray images of the breast from multiple angles to create a digital three-dimensional rendering of internal breast tissue. This allows radiologists to get a clearer, more accurate look. It can also reduce the need for follow up screenings.
The new design can also make the process of getting a mammogram a little more comfortable.
“It's going to give us the cutting edge of technology. It also comes with a new comfort pad which, in this hospital, we work really hard to focus on breast education with each patient, as well as breast comfort, so the patient will come back if it's more comfortable to go through” said Dian Hickethier, the head mammographer at the hospital.
“In the Valley, we find that to have women close to home and don't have to drive the distance to go get screened or to do follow ups, it's so much better for them. So, we wanted to keep the state-of-the-art option here in the Valley," St. Luke Foundation Director Teresa Nygaard added.
Teresa is going to be the first patient when the new 3D Mammogram machine goes on line Oct. 16.
