Pardee UNC Health Care Invests in New Mammography Technologies that Offer Advances in Comfort and Accuracy, Particularly for Women with Dense Breast Tissue
Pardee UNC Health Care has invested in two new technologies to improve mammogram comfort and accuracy: the Hologic SmartCurve System and GE Invenia ABUS (automated breast ultrasound screening) 2.0. Both are now in use at Pardee’s Breast Center.
The SmartCurve System provides curved panels specifically designed for more comfortable compression during breast imaging. It is clinically proven to deliver a more comfortable mammogram without compromising image quality, workflow or dose.[1] The technology has the potential to increase screening volume and compliance for the countless women who have reported avoiding regular mammograms due in large part to the fear of discomfort associated with breast compression. The SmartCurve system is available exclusively with Hologic’s Genius™ 3D Mammography™ exam, which is currently in use by Pardee and detects more invasive cancers, reduces false positives, and is FDA-approved as superior to conventional 2D mammography for all women, including those with dense breasts.[2],[3],[4]
“With this new technology, we are not only able to provide a more comfortable mammogram, but can do so while maintaining clinical accuracy, which is key,” said Brian Leutner, Administrative Director, Oncology Services. “Mammograms play such a critical role in the early detection of breast cancer and we’re hopeful that with the addition of the SmartCurve system, we’ll be able to lessen the pain and anxiety associated with mammograms and, as a result, increase screening compliance.”
The Invenia ABUS 2.0 is a new, advanced technology for detecting breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue. It has been shown to improve detection in women with dense breasts by more than 37% when used in addition to mammography. Using 3D ultrasound technology, the Invenia ABUS 2.0 quickly and comfortably images dense breasts; an exam typically takes 15 minutes. Leutner notes that for women with dense breasts, “this is a true distinction in the market and an absolute game changer when it comes to comfort and accuracy.” He hopes that more women will take advantage of this new technology and ask their physician about adding this screening to their next mammogram.
