BMH Offers Digital Mammography Screening in Imaging Unit of New Outpatient Building

When the 2nd floor of the new Outpatient Building opened for patient care in mid-August, the new Outpatient Building Imaging space at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital was not the only benefit. The state-of-the-art digital mammography now being offered in the recently constructed area is also news. BMH is now able to offer patients who undergo routine mammograms the latest diagnostic technology available to them with the addition of two new Selenia™ digital mammography instruments from Hologic®. Appointments are now being scheduled for these new machines, and the wait time is down to less than a two weeks.

Digital mammography provides the highest quality of care in the prevention and early detection of breast cancer. It is known to be particularly helpful in women with dense breasts. It allows the radiologist to view the x-ray image more closely zeroing in on suspicious or concerning areas. This enables them to make immediate decisions about additional images. Digital mammography takes less than half the time of traditional film-based exams. From the patient’s point of view, a digital mammogram is like traditional film screen mammography.  Both use x-ray to generate images of the breast.

 The difference is, instead of using film to capture and record the image, a digital mammogram uses a special detector to capture and convert x-ray energy into a digital image. The resulting digital images are immediately available to the radiologist for diagnosis. The radiologist can view and manipulate the images on high-resolution computer monitors that enhance visualization of the structures within the breast tissue. They can also adjust brightness and contrast, and zoom in on specific areas to help detect small calcifications, masses, and other changes that may be signs of early cancer.

Digital mammography offers a number of other practical advantages and patient conveniences. Because there is no waiting for film to be developed it can significantly reduce the exam time for patients, as well as reduce the need for repeat exams due to under or over exposure. Digital images are easily stored and transferred electronically, eliminating the dependency on one set of original films, which could get lost in transit.

In conjunction with the digital mammography unit, BMH is also offering Computer-Aided Detection. CAD provides a "second read" of the mammogram by a computer. This assists the radiologist in making an accurate diagnosis, like spell check in word processing. Our goal is to provide the best possible care for our patients.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics demonstrate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her life. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s survival. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 97%.    

Although patients are able to access the new BMH Outpatient Building from the main hospital (via a new corridor), the easiest access to the new building¹s 2nd floor is by elevator from the ground floor. The elevators are accessed by either the newly opened front glass entrance from the main hospital parking lot, or by driving around to the back side of the hospital and entering under the convenient covered entrance. New parking areas are available to patients near this access. These entry ways also access all other outpatient services now available in the new BMH Outpatient Building.

CLICK HERE for directions to new Outpatient Building covered drop-off

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