The latest in 3D mammography is now available at The University of Kansas Health System Great Bend Campus, and women are encouraged to call for an appointment.
“The advanced equipment is state-of-the-art technology for 3D mammograms,” said Shannon Deines, imaging manager. “For example, a traditional 2D mammogram provides just two pictures – one from the front and one from the side.”
3D technology, however, captures a series of pictures from multiple angles. “The result is a three-dimensional image,” Deines explained. “The additional images allow the radiologist to see smaller areas of the breast.”
One of the big advantages of 3D is the decrease in false positive results. “3D has been proven to decrease the number of women who need follow-up mammograms to evaluate a possible abnormality,” Deines said.
In addition to mammography, Great Bend Campus also offers breast imaging services that include breast ultrasound, biopsies and MRIs.
Deines hopes women in central Kansas take advantage of these services because “the best way to beat breast cancer is to find it early. The best way to find it early is with a yearly screening mammogram. Missing even one year can make a big, negative difference.
“As part of the health system, our team has access to the most up-to-date information and medical advances,” Deines added. “This includes breast specialists and the latest in cancer care.”
The team’s technologists trained in 3D are Deines, Heather Ewy and Tiffany Harders.
Age 40 is still the standard for starting annual screening. If someone has a family history of breast cancer, healthcare providers may suggest starting earlier.
The number to call for an appointment is 620-791-6299. While mammography is available throughout the week, the imaging team is available until 6 p.m. Mondays for after-hours appointments.
In Kansas, Deines said, a doctor’s referral is not necessary if the patient is over 40, not experiencing symptoms and under the care of a provider.
Great Bend Campus has the only hospital in the area that offers the Early Detection Works (EDW) program, Deines said. The program covers mammography for Kansas women who don’t have health insurance and are 40-64 years of age. EDW is also available for cervical cancer screenings for uninsured women age 21-64.
“This is a great program that pays for breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostics for Kansas women of average risk,” Deines said.
