By: Angela Sie, M.D., Medical Director, Breast Imaging, MemorialCare Breast Center, Long Beach Medical Center
The MemorialCare Breast Center at Long Beach Medical Center offers exceptional sub-specialty expertise, as well as the most advanced technologies for diagnosing and treating breast cancer to improve patient outcomes.
Data from the MemorialCare Breast Center shows outstanding results compared to the American College of Radiology’s (ACR) national standards. The screening mammography recall rate has consistently been under 10 percent, while the national standard is under 12 percent. This means that mammograms are read more accurately, without the need of unnecessary retesting as compared to the national average. In addition, the screening cancer detection rate per 1,000 mammograms has consistently been more than 5 per 1,000, while the ACR standard is set at 2.5 per 1,000. This shows significantly more patients being diagnosed from screening than expected from the national standard, which usually improves a woman’s ability to overcome cancer.
These outstanding metrics can likely be attributed to technology and expertise. MemorialCare Breast Center utilizes state of the art tomosynthesis – consecutive X-ray images and specialized computer software to create a 3D image of the breast. Tomosynthesis technology helps keep recall rates low while optimizing cancer detection because overlapping structures in the breast can be resolved easily and small cancers become more obvious. Additionally, fully dedicated, experienced, sub-specialized breast imaging radiologists interpret all the exams at the MemorialCare Breast Center at Long Beach Medical Center. This focus and experience adds to the increased sensitivity and specificity shown by the outstanding metrics.
After a cancer diagnosis, the care team develops an individualized treatment plan unique to that woman’s cancer. Depending on the woman’s unique treatment plan, she may receive treatment using the Varian Edge™ radiosurgery system, and AlignRT® radiation system. When a woman inhales deeply, her breasts move up and out, and the heart and lungs fall down and back. The combination of these two systems allows radiation oncologists to apply the radiation beam when there is maximum space between the heart and the breast – minimizing the dose to the heart, which can have adverse long term side effects.
The Edge uses the highest radiation dosage in the industry which allows for greatly reduced treatment times for patients. The Edge also is extremely accurate as it autocorrects every 10 milliseconds, so that surrounding healthy tissue isn’t damaged. Using motion monitoring technology, the Varian Edge automatically holds the treatment beam when motion is detected. Long Beach Medical Center is the only hospital in the region to offer this advanced technology combination for breast cancer patients.
At Long Beach Medical Center, a team of highly sub-specialized physicians, including radiation oncologists, surgeons and medical oncologists collaborate to design targeted treatment plans that best suit the individual needs of each patient.
Should you or a loved one receive a cancer diagnosis, choosing the right care team and hospital is important. Look for a hospital that can not only give you access to the latest advances in cancer care, but also a treatment plan that is customized to fit your unique needs.
For more information or to request your mammogram appointment online, visit memorialcare.org/LBBreast.