A hospital in the Rockaways recently installed new, state-of-the-art equipment to advance its approach to women’s health care.
On Thursday, Aug. 18, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital (SJEH) unveiled its new 3D mammography machine used to detect breast cancer. The new technology helps hospital clinicians to detect breast cancer by allowing them to see breast tissue details more clearly and uncover breast cancer that may have been hidden in overlying breast tissue.
According to the hospital, SJEH is now home to the singular and most advanced mammography equipment in the Rockaways.
Data from the New York City Department of Health shows that breast cancer is the leading cause of premature death among individuals under the age of 65 on the Rockaway Peninsula. Additionally, female breast cancer rates in the Rockaways are higher than the overall rates in Queens.
“This 3D mammography machine will provide us with the best breast imaging available, and will allow us to detect breast cancer as early as possible. Patient survival outcomes are improved if breast cancer is detected in its early stage,” SJEH breast surgeon Sharon Koehler said.
In comparison to traditional 2D mammography machines, which can reportedly produce unclear results, false alarms or fail to detect cancer at all, the 3D machines like the one at SJEH, enable clinicians to examine breast tissues one layer at a time by converting digital breast images into a stack of very thin layers for a radiologist to review.
The hospital also revealed that it is investing in a second 3D mammography machine that will be housed at the upcoming Margaret O. Carpenter Women’s Health Center, scheduled to open in early 2022. The center will also feature behavioral health services, breast surgery, gynecology and oncology, imaging, maternal fetal medicine, nutrition, OB-GYN and urogynecology.
To schedule an appointment for a 3D mammography consultation with a St. John’s OB-GYN call 718-869-7500.
