New Innovative Breast Cancer Screening Arrives at Marshfield Clinic
Having a medical center like the Marshfield Clinic in our own backyard is very helpful when you are facing a medical crisis such as breast cancer.
The Marshfield Clinic is offering new and innovative ways to screen for breast cancer along with partnering with many community groups in an effort to raise awareness and funds for research during the past month of October, which was Breast Cancer Awareness month.
“Through volunteer fundraising initiatives alone, over $100,000 generated in October will be dedicated to breast cancer research, care and prevention initiatives,” said Mary Beth Knoeck, Donor Relations Coordinator for the Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation.
Some of the events that the Clinic helped support were: Festival Foods Pink Ribbon Sale, Sports Den 9th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Run & Ride, 4th Annual Pretty in Pink event hosted by Pink Ladies in Wittenberg, Marshfield Clinic Health System employees hosted pink days throughout the month, 40 cancer packs donated by a local teacher, the Eagles hosted a pool tournament and raffles and volleyball and football teams that support research for all cancers.
Knoeck said breast cancer awareness and research is a true priority at the Marshfield Clinic.
“Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer. All the events that are listed above are run by volunteers/businesses in the community that want to help raise awareness, help to support cancer patients, and support the research that helps us to provide better and more personalized treatment options,” she said.
Just because there is a lot of support for breast cancer awareness does not mean it is becoming less important.
“Until there is a cure, or until we stop the disease from happening, it will be important. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in women. In the US more than 246,000 will be diagnosed and more than 40,000 will die, this year alone. That is a lot of moms and daughters!” Knoeck said.
One of the best ways to have a “fighting chance” against breast cancer is to find it early, which is why some of the new screening options at the Marshfield Clinic are exciting.
Two of the new technologies that are offered are called 3D mammography and molecular breast imaging.
“Basic screening mammograms decrease mortality, but they aren’t perfect,” said Dr. Kristie Guite, a Marshfield Clinic radiologist who specializes in mammography.
3D mammography and molecular breast imaging (MBI) are advanced imaging techniques that improve detection and treatment of breast cancer.
3D mammograms are performed at the same time as traditional 2D mammograms. It takes only a few extra seconds to capture the additional image.
“Looking at smaller sections of breast tissue allows us to more easily detect breast cancer in all women, but even more so in younger women under 50 and women with dense breast tissue,” Guite said.
“3D mammograms allow us to detect breast cancer when it’s smaller, in an earlier stage and easier to treat in all women,” she said.
Not only can this type of imaging help find cancer earlier, it can help with false positives, which can be very stressful.
“3-D imaging reduces the number of patients who have to come back for additional imaging by 40 percent,” Guite said.
“It saves them from having to go through the anxiety of more testing,” she said.
MBI involves injecting a small amount of radioactive material into the bloodstream. Cancer cells in the breast take up more of the radioactive material than normal breast tissue, which allows doctors to locate small tumors.
“It finds two to three times as many cancers than regular or 3D mammography,” Guite said. “The likelihood of missing a breast cancer is almost none.”
While the advanced technology is a great tool available at the Marshfield Clinic, Dr. Anna Seydel, a surgical oncology specialist there, thinks it also about the great team available at the Clinic.
“We now offer tomosynthesis or 3D mammography and molecular breast imaging which improve detection rates for all patients but specifically patients with dense breasts. But, more importantly, we have a dedicated group of fellowship trained breast radiologists available to interpret all results,” she said.
For more information on the screening options available at the Marshfield Clinic, please call patient financial services at 1-800-782-8581. Also, for more information on how to get involved in increasing breast cancer awareness and fundraising call the foundation at 1-800-858-5220.
