Community Healthcare System offers Advanced Imaging Technology for Breast Cancer Screening

Community Healthcare System offers Advanced Imaging Technology for Breast Cancer Screening

For women with dense breast tissue, the risk of cancer is greater than for those who do not so it is important to get regular screening mammograms. To provide the best care possible, Community Healthcare System now offers advanced imaging technology that is able to detect cancer through dense breast tissue. The technology was approved by the FDA for breast cancer screening and is used in addition to mammography for women with dense breast tissue and no prior diagnosis. 

InveniaTM ABUS 2.0 (Automated Breast Ultrasound System) is clinically proven to increase cancer detection in dense breast tissue by 35.7 percent. Dense breast tissue not only increases the risk of breast cancer by four to six times, it also makes cancer more difficult to detect when using mammography alone. 

An ABUS screening exam, in addition to a traditional mammogram, helps create a more complete evaluation of dense breast tissue. The exam is non-invasive and provides 3D ultrasound images. 

Valparaiso Health Center at St. Mary Medical Center is the first location within Community Healthcare System to offer ABUS with availability at other Women’s Diagnostic Centers in the next few months. 

  • Community Hospital Outpatient Center, St. John 9660 Wicker Ave, St. John 
  • Community Stroke & Rehabilitation Center, 10215 Broadway, Crown Point 
  • St. Catherine Hospital, South Entrance, 4321 Fir St., East Chicago, IN 
  • St. Mary Medical Center Cancer Care Center, 300 W. 61st Ave., Hobart 
  • Valparaiso Health Center of St. Mary Medical Center, 3800 St. Mary Dr., Valparaiso 

“Community Healthcare System’s Women’s Diagnostic Centers are always aiming, in terms of new technologies, to be ahead of the curve,” said Janushi Dalal, MD, a breast radiologist on staff at St. Mary Medical Center. “ABUS complements our comprehensive breast screening program and demonstrates a commitment to investing in patient care.” 

The Women’s Diagnostic Centers of Community Healthcare System also offer 3D mammography with same-dayappointments and, in most cases, same day results. he centers have earned national accreditations for breast imaging, mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and ultrasound guided breast biopsy. 

Community Hospital Women’s Diagnostic Center in Munster and regional director of Breast Imaging Services for Community Healthcare System. “By offering ABUS in addition to mammography for patients with dense breast tissue, we anticipate improving detection for small cancers that may not be seen on a mammogram alone in these women.” 

Some women are more likely to have dense breasts, such as those who: 

  • are premenopausal 
  • use postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) 
  • have a lower body mass index (BMI) 

Women less likely to have dense breasts are those who: 

  • have gone through menopause 
  • have had children 
  • use the hormonal therapy tamoxifen, either to lower breast cancer risk or to treat breast cancer; aromatase inhibitors, which are another type of hormonal therapy, may also decrease breast density, but the impact doesn’t appear to be as substantial 

Only a mammogram can show whether a patient has dense breasts. The American Cancer Society recommends that women receive yearly mammograms beginning at age 40. Women who have been informed they have dense breast tissue should talk with their doctor about their risk and consider additional screening. Contact your insurance company about coverage for an ABUS screening. 

For more information, check on location availability and to make an appointment, call 800-809-9828.