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Huntsville Memorial Hospital has announced that it now provides the latest in “high tech, soft touch” mammography.

The facility combines full-field digital mammography with a new breast cushion that dramatically eases the discomfort many women feel when they get a mammogram.

MammoPad creates a softer, warmer mammogram and has been clinically demonstrated to reduce discomfort for most women. Selenia digital mammography incorporates revolutionary imaging technology that provides incredibly sharp images. MammoPad and Selenia digital mammography together provide a more positive experience for women.

Huntsville Memorial Hospital is a certified Pink Ribbon Facility, a distinction awarded only to an elite group of healthcare facilities. By offering women a softer mammogram, the facility hopes to increase the number of area women who follow recommendations for regular screenings.

“The discomfort many women feel during mammography compression is widely known to be a reason that many don't get regular screenings,” said Timothy Deahl, M.D., Chief of Staff at Huntsville Memorial Hospital. In addition to compression, the cold surfaces and hard edges of the mammography device make the experience uncomfortable for some patients.

“The breast cushion answers these complaints by providing a soft, warm cushion for the breast during mammography,” said Dr. Deahl. "Because women are more relaxed during the exam, it makes it even easier for our mammography technologists to get the best possible image."

Selenia 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 time patients spend in the facility, 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 can be misfiled or lost in transit

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics indicate 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%.

Huntsville Memorial Hospital is committed to the fight against breast cancer. In offering both the MammoPad breast cushion and digital mammography, HMH provides the latest in imaging quality and comfort technology.

Source: Huntsville Memorial Hospital

Discuss more about mammography in the mammography user group.