sinai in the news
Avon Foundation grant provides state-of-the-art digital mammography system and patient navigators
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2008
Due to a $1,000,000 grant from the Avon Foundation, Mount Sinai Hospital will open its digital mammography system to patients in October. This technology will bring state of the art care to the communities served by Sinai and will make a positive step toward diminishing disparities in breast health care for minority women. The Sinai patient base is roughly 50% African-American and 50% Latino.
Also funded through the Avon Foundation grant is the patient navigator program in which the "navigators" help women who have had irregular mammograms, guiding them through treatment and recovery for cancer and other breast conditions.
The Avon Foundation, an accredited 501(c) (3) public charity, was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women and their families. From 1992 through 2007, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade raised and awarded more than $525 million worldwide for access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. Funding supports five areas: awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research. Beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based non-profit breast health programs. For more information, visit www.avonfoundation.org.
Patient Benefits
- Exams can take less than half the time – with the Senographe DS an average exam can be reduced to 10 to 15 minutes compared to 30 or more minutes for traditional film-based mammograms
- Ergonomic paddle shapes to the breast optimizing the tissue presented for imaging – especially useful in gathering insular tissues such as under the arm, which can otherwise be missed
- Compression speed of the paddle slows when coming into contact with the breast providing better patient comfort
- Narrow tube head allows for easy and relaxed patient positions during the exam
- Easy wheelchair access to the system
Physician Benefits
- Better visibility of the breast, particularly near the skin line, the chest wall and in women with dense breast tissue due to ergonomic design and image processing capabilities
- Advanced digital capabilities allow for breast images to be reviewed electronically for improved workflow in the mammography department
- Electronic archiving of patient images means easier retrieval and transmission of patient information to healthcare providers
- Easier access to lesions for biopsies with the ability to do both vertical and lateral approaches – optimizing biopsy sampling
- Consistent image quality for screening, diagnosis and interventional procedures
Patient and physician benefits resulting from using digital mammography are listed below.
Sent by Dianne Hunter
Director, Public Relations and Communications
Sinai Health System
California Avenue at 15th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
