HEALTH & FITNESS technology Breast Cancer New imaging aids early detection. I n his 10 years at Beaumont Hospital, Dr. Murray Rebner, radi- ologist and co-director of the Vattikuti Breast Diagnostic Center, has seen firsthand how new state-of- the-art breast imaging is making a dif- ference in the early detection of breast cancer. Over the decade, new imaging tools have been developed to give physicians a larger arsenal in their battle with breast can- cer: digital mammog- raphy; 3T MRI; ultra- sound; and PET-CT. Beaumont radi- ologists took part in Dr. Murray a landmark, national Rebner study from 2002-2005 that compared the diagnostic accuracy of digital mammography to film screen. "The findings were significant," explains Rebner. "The results demon- strated that digital mammography is better for most women than standard film screen mammography." Because of these findings, Beaumont will soon be one of the largest health care systems to be totally digital. While the new breast imaging technol- ogy is exciting, Rebner is quick to point out that it's the physicians and techni- cians that do the procedures and read the images that make the difference. The Beaumont hospitals in Royal Oak and Troy were recently recognized as a Breast Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. Aside from skin cancers, breast can- cer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States. About 25 percent of American women diagnosed with cancer have breast cancer. "It's important women know their risk Affordable Spinal Decompression Call for FREE Consultation factors for breast cancer. This includes family history and genetic predispo- sition," says Rebner. "Individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent may have an altered BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene, which means their frequency of develop- ing breast cancer is about eight times higher than the general population. Jewish women need to have a height- ened awareness of their increased risk of breast cancer and how to best man- age their own breast health. Our new high-risk breast program can help them determine their risk." Beaumont's high-risk breast program will open in March at Troy and Royal Oak. "This innovative program brings all of our specialists together mak- ing it easier for the patient. It includes detailed risk assessment, medical and surgical treatment, genetic counseling, diagnostic imaging, patient education and psychosocial counseling," says Rebner. Along with digital mammography, for women at high risk of developing breast cancer, magnetic resonance imaging is also recommended. Beaumont has 3 Tesla MRI units for breast imaging at its Royal Oak and Troy hospitals. These powerful, new machines allow better detection of cancers with high-resolu- tion images. Beaumont was also one of first hospitals in the state to perform MR-guided biopsies. These procedures should be available at sites that perform breast MRI. Ultrasound is another technology that helps diagnose breast cancer. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves that make an image of the breast tissue. It mainly differentiates cystic from solid masses but it also helps determine if a solid tumor is benign or malignant. Cryoablation is another technology that holds promise. It is a nonsurgical procedure that freezes benign breast tumors. It is hoped in the future that this technique can be used to treat small invasive cancers. The National Cancer Institute has designated Beaumont Hospitals in Royal Oak and Troy a Community Clinical Oncology Program. Many of its breast imaging patients participate in research trials which helps advance knowledge of the disease. LT x erzenc Equa Results Iro roc Dr. R.W. Levine Dr. D. B. Cohen Celebratin• 50 ear A32 January 29 • 2009 JN 31390 NORTHWESTERN HIGHWAY BETWEEN 13 MIL , . D M1DDLEBELT • 248 Phone consultations avails • :