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At St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston, manager of diagnostic imaging Jeanine Ferguson and Dr. Peter Ferin, chief of radiology, show off a Beta-Specific Gamma Imaging machine, which is used to diagnose breast cancer.

Mount St. Mary’s Hospital now boasts the most up-to-date piece of equipment in Western New York to help detect breast cancer.

The staff began using the new Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) unit two weeks ago, and hospital officials say that the closest similar unit is in Syracuse.

In addition, within days, the hospital will begin using the first of three new digital mammography units to replace two old analog ( x-ray ) machines, completing the hospital’s mission to create an entirely “filmless environment” in diagnostics, said Deborah O’Grady, the hospital’s director of diagnostic imaging.

The digital mammography units and BSGI were purchased as a result of the early success of the $1 million “Campaign for Women’s Health,” to establish a breast care center.

BSGI is described as a “molecular breast imaging technique” used in diagnosis when a mammogram is inconclusive.

The hospital’s diagnostic imaging department provides services that are fully accredited by the American College of Radiology and is federally funded by the Food and Drug Administration under the mammography quality standards act.

The hospital’s team of breast health professionals helps women assess the risks of developing breast cancer, guides them through the mammograms and clinical exams and teaches the proper method for breast self-exams. Counseling, education and support programs also will be part of the new initiative.

Source: Mount St. Mary’s Hospital

Discuss more about mammography in the mammography user group.