3D Mammography imaging now available at MCE

Instead of just four pictures to draw a medical analysis from, there are now 240.

That is the short version of what 3D Mammography brings to the table and that state of the art imaging is now available at Medical Center Enterprise.

The high-tech imaging has been installed at MCE since February, one month before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down all non-emergency medical procedures.

But now the 3D Mammography Department is open for business. That is what MCE Radiologist Dr. Adriana Faulkner, Imaging Director Craig Callahan, Assistant Imaging Director Natasha Sumblin and Mammogram Navigator Sara Slawson want the public to know.

Our focus continues to strengthen on ways to better care for our patients, and this has been a long time goal of ours. “We strive daily to better our services and build a stronger community hospital for Enterprise,” said MCE Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Woods. “To have such wonderful staff in our radiology department who give compassionate care to our patients daily is certainly a gift. We are blessed to be able to offer such personal, one on one attention to each patient through this program.”

“While we have always disinfected our mammogram machines between each patient, we’ve stepped up those measures to include pens and door handles,” said Slawson. “Our technicians are always wearing a mask and we encourage our patients to do so, too. The main thing is that is important to have your mammogram.”

With nearly six decades of medical imaging experience between them at MCE, the four are the first to stress that mammography continues to be the best first line defense for early breast cancer screening. Building on traditional mammography, 3D mammograms offer a new way to see breast tissue, explained Sumblin, who has worked at MCE for 20 years. 

Women with dense breast tissue benefit from a 3D mammogram because it provides a clearer picture, Sumblin said. “Using 3D mammography makes it easier for doctors to catch breast cancer early. It also helps us catch more cancers. And it helps us see the cancer size much better than we could on a regular mammogram.”

Typically, screening mammograms at MCE are interpreted the same day by a board-certified radiologist and normal results are mailed to the patient within two business days. When the radiologist identifies an abnormal finding on a mammogram and recommends additional imaging, the patient navigator calls the patient to arrange for a follow up appointment.

“There are 14 board certified radiologists that read (imaging) for us,” said Callahan, who has 25 years of service at MCE. “What a 3D brings to the table is that it allows us to see the breast in little slices. It takes one millimeter pictures through the breast and so we’re able to see behind and beneath dense breast tissue to get a really clear photo.

“A screening mammogram is basically like looking at four pictures—just like what you can take with a camera, essentially,” Callahan explained. “With a 3D, there is an average of about 60 pictures each so you have 240 pictures and we’re able to do all that without increasing radiation.”

“We utilize imaging technology that may detect breast cancer at the earliest stages, when treatment can be most effective,” said Sumblin. “Our imaging is top notch because our goal is that if our images are forwarded to a bigger medical facility, we don’t want them to have to repeat them because of poor quality.

“Our goal is that when a larger medical facility looks at our imaging, they see the same quality they produce and expect,” she added.

Slawson, who has worked at MCE for 11 years, is a mammogram navigator whose function is to do just that: navigate the patient through the mammogram process. “When a patient has a screening mammogram, I follow the results of that. If the results are normal, I send that information to the patient and the doctor.

“If it is abnormal, I work with the patient and the doctor to get them back in for whatever imaging is needed,” she added. “If a biopsy is needed, I am physically with the patient at that time and if any follow up is needed, I’ll be here to do a follow up schedule.”

“You have to have that right person in the navigator job and Sara is that person,” said Callahan, with a smile. “She is very calming. She sets our patients at ease. She is perfect for the position of navigator. Sara is the type of person that anyone wants working for them.”

“I love my job,” is Slawson’s reply.

“Mammography has been scientifically proven to save lives, to reduce mortality and increase survival,” said Faulkner. “It’s a quick and easy test that can save anyone’s life and I’d really encourage all the women in the community to come see us.

“We have a great support staff,” Faulkner added. “And we are here for you.”

To schedule a mammogram at MCE, call central scheduling at (334) 383-8760 or (334) 393-8771.