Mercy now offers digital mammography
Powerful new tool aids in fight for early detection of breast cancer
01 / 24 / 2008
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Maria Nelson, Media Relations
Affinity Health System
(920) 720-1752
(920) 554-0686 (pager)
OSHKOSH, Wis. – Digital mammography, a state-of-the-art system to aid in the early detection of breast cancer, has arrived at Mercy Medical Center.
Digital mammography takes mammogram screening for breast cancer out of the era of film and into the digital age. Images are immediately available on computer screen and can be manipulated to more clearly see specific areas of the breast.
“Research shows that digital mammography is better at screening women who are under age 50, pre or perimenopausal women of any age and women with dense breast tissue,” said Mike Binder, manager of Radiology Services at Mercy Medical Center. “This technology provides high-precision accuracy.”
This year, more than 212,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. “A vital step to good preventive health is being able to provide the best diagnostic equipment possible,” said William Calhoun, president of Mercy Medical Center. “That is something we take very seriously.”
Mercy will begin using digital mammography in early February. Women may schedule their appointment by contacting the Phyllis Leach Breast Center at (920) 236-1880.
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For the Editor:
Affinity Health System, a faith-based regional health care network, is the Fox Valley’s second-largest employer, according to the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry. For the fourth consecutive year, Affinity has been named one of the nation’s top 64 health systems based on clinical performance according to Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of health care. For ten consecutive years, Affinity Health System has been named to the SDI (formerly Verispan) Integrated Health Network Top 100, an annual assessment of the 100 most highly integrated health care networks in the nation. Both St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton and Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh rank among the top 1 percent of hospitals nationwide in terms of quality and efficiency, as determined by the 2007 Premier | CareScience Select practice National Quality Award. Members of Affinity include Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Health Foundation, Oshkosh; St. Elizabeth Hospital and the St. Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, Appleton; Affinity Medical Group, a regional network of 25 family practice and specialty clinics – 22 of which are recognized as NCQA Level III medical homes, the highest level of recognition – in 14 communities; Calumet Medical Center, Chilton; and Affinity Occupational Health.