Located on the first floor, just to the left of the public elevators in the main lobby, is Women’s Diagnostic Services. This self-contained unit has a private waiting room, education and teaching area, private dressing rooms and complete diagnostic services for women. The unit supports a Mammography, Bone Density, and 2 Ultra-sound rooms.
MAMMOGRAM
The American Cancer Society estimates one in seven women will develop breast cancer. Breast cancer is best treated when found early. Beginning at age 20, all women should check their breasts monthly looking for lumps, changes in skin texture or breast size or shape, or a nipple discharge, and have an annual clinician exam.
While all women are at risk of breast cancer, as a woman ages, another vital component in early detection--the mammogram—is added. While dreaded by many, this breast x-ray of the inner tissue can detect 90-percent of cancers—even before the lump can be felt. Mammography can help in identifying cysts, calcifications, and tumors within the breast.
“Women usually have their first mammogram between the ages of 35 and 40,” Tess Parker, Lead Mammography Technician at Heartland Regional Medical Center, said.
The results from this first screening will serve as a baseline mammogram used to compare any changes in future exams. Just when this first exam takes place is decided on between the patient and her physician who will look at the patient’s risk factors including age, family history of breast cancer, smoking, weight, and other factors.
“There is a definite apprehension involved with mammography,” Bruce Foreman, Director of Diagnostic Imaging, said. “We want to alleviate their fears.”
Parker said the staff does this by explaining to the patients what to expect during the procedure. The use of mammogram touch pads—a pad much like a computer mouse pad—helps lessen the pressure and the coldness related to the 20-minute exam.
“A lot of people who have had a mammogram before say it makes it more comfortable,” Parker said. “Those who are doing it for the first time usually say it’s not as bad they thought it would be.”
Each of the new Lorad mammogram machines is equipped with Fully Automatic Self-adjusting (F.A.S.T.) paddles. Parker said this is very desirable for patients with breast compositions that do not permit uniform compression across the entire breast when using the conventional flat compression paddles.
Parker adds that the close proximity of Heartland’s diagnostic testing area is a real plus for the patients. Should a mammogram alert the radiologist to a potential problem, the patient can stay in the same area for an ultra sound.
The mammography department is also equipped to assist in the less invasive, percutaneous ("through the skin") breast biopsy procedure according to Foreman. A needle with a wire is injected into the mass. The needle is withdrawn while the wire remains for the biopsy. The tissue sample is then tested to see if it is cancer. The procedure’s result is a decrease in damaged tissue and less material being taken out.
“The people I work with want to help the patients,” Parker said. “The patient will get the best care they need in an efficient manner.”
A mammogram is an x-ray test that produces an image of the inner breast tissue on film. This technique, called mammography, is used to visualize normal and abnormal structures within the breasts. Mammography can help in identifying cysts, calcifications, and tumors within the breast. It is currently the most effective way to detect early breast cancer. A Simple Mammogram Could Save Your Life… All women are at risk, and the risk increases with age. In fact, over 75-percent of all diagnosed breast cancer occurs in women who are 50 or older. Three critical steps to early detection are annual mammograms for women 40 and over; annual clinical breast exams by a health professional; and monthly breast self-exams for women who are 20 and over. The other good news is that Heartland Regional Medical Center has complete mammography services, and encourages you to take advantage of what we have to offer. To schedule your mammogram call (618) 998-7001– Do it today!
BONE DENSITY TESTING – DEXA
Located in the same area is a screening area to measure a person’s bone density. This is an important and painless test in preventing or lessening the impact of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis occurs when severe bone loss causes bones to become brittle, porous, and more likely to break. It can be a painful and potentially crippling disease without warning signs until a fracture occurs. Attenuation or DEXA machine can detect bone loss in its earliest stages. This non-evasive procedure consists of an x-ray usually of the patient’s hip and lower back. The DEXA machine never even comes into contact with the patient during the 15 to 20 minute screening. In fact, the test can even be completed while the patient if fully dressed given the clothing and under garments contain no metal.
Once complete, the results are reviewed by the radiologist and sent to the patient’s physician.
Who should have a bone density test?
Director of Diagnostic Imaging Bruce Foreman said the test is particularly important to those women who are not getting the hormones needed to maintain healthy bones—these are usually women who are not getting estrogen such as those who have gone through menopause or had a hysterectomy.
“These women may be losing calcium in bones which, leads to osteoporosis,” Foreman explained. “Osteoporosis is spine fracturing causing the bend in a person’s back that can be disabling, too. The earlier we can pick it up in particularly women, and some men, they can be put on medication.”
Foreman said abnormal levels of bone density in women are not unusual. In fact, at the Women’s Health for Wellness conference this fall, he used a portable machine to screen 400 women, of them, 30-percent showed abnormal levels in bone density. While using a portable device for measuring may not give conclusive results, Foreman said it is a warning sign for them to go through a thorough bone density screening process.
Osteoporosis Risk Factors:
Light skinned
Thin or small framed
Approaching or past menopause
Milk intolerant or have a low calcium intake
A cigarette smoker or drink alcohol in excess
Taking thyroid medication or steroid-based drugs for asthma, arthritis or cancer
A family history of osteoporosis
Chronic intestinal disorders
A sedentary lifestyle
For more information or to schedule a test, consult your physician or call (618) 998-7001.
DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND
Using reflected sound echoes to study and characterize internal structures and tissues, ultrasound technology is used regularly with heart patients, as a follow-up to a mammogram, and with pregnant women.
The benefit of the technology for heart patients is the original diagnosis and follow-up of heart valve abnormalities. In follow-up to mammograms, the equipment proves valuable in determining if suspicious lumps are benign cysts or cancerous growths. The technology continues to provide new ways to diagnosis problems in the gallbladder, musculoskeletal system, and prostate gland. However, it may be most well known for it use in obstetrics.
A new addition to the ultrasound department is helping expectant parents to have a better look at their upcoming new addition. A 3-D/4-D state-of-the-art ultrasound provides parents with a view of the fetus in the womb. While doctors are using the exam to determine the developmental age and overall health of the fetus, parents are being provided with an incredible view of the baby.
“It’s an exciting time during their pregnancy,” Bruce Foreman, Director of Diagnostic Imaging, said. “It’s an experience for them. We make a picture for them to take home.”
Depending of the cooperation of the fetus, pregnant moms may capture a stunning facial or profile image of the infant on the monitor while watching the slight time-delayed movements. This new, top of the line ultrasound unit is one of only two in the State of Illinois.
Foreman would like to add a program--after regular testing hours—in the future for those wishing to have a 3D/4D ultrasound for non-diagnostic purpose.
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