MENDOCINO Co., 3/19/22 — Breast cancer is best treated if caught early, and thanks to gifts made through the Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation, there is now a 3-D mammogram machine available at the Adventist Health Mendocino Coast hospital. The technology facilitates better imaging, which can help diagnose breast cancer sooner.
Here’s the announcement from Adventist Health:
Continuing its mission to bring advanced healthcare local, Adventist Health Mendocino Coast is pleased to announce the installation and services of a new GE 3D mammogram machine. As a result of a generous gift from the Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation, improved technology designed to help detect and diagnose breast cancer or other conditions is a reality. Early detection of breast cancer has been shown to reduce treatment time and lead to more successful outcomes.
“We are extremely grateful to the Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation for this essential technology which can help save lives,” says Judy Leach, Administrator of Adventist Health Mendocino Coast. “The generosity of the Healthcare Foundation, coupled with funds from Adventist Health and facility retrofitting by the Mendocino Healthcare District helped create greater access to high-quality healthcare close to home.” The process of installing, testing, and credentialing the new technology—enhanced by implementing a team of new radiologists and compassionate clinical expertise—is creating an improved patient experience.
The best way to beat breast cancer is to find it early. Regular mammographs can find problems earlier when they are easier to treat, and sometimes even before cancer has spread. A 3D screening is more accurate and results in fewer false positive results. Ultimately, resulting in less worry and anxiety for women.
The GE 3D mammography offers significant advantages in detecting breast cancer in those who may have denser breast tissue because the 3D image allows the radiologist to see through those areas like they never have before. Studies have demonstrated that 3D mammography results in a 29% increase in detection of all breast cancers and a 41% increase in detection of invasive breast cancers.
The 3D mammography machine was funded by private donations and an estate gift from the Jack and Mary Thomas Trust, which has provided the foundation with funding for several pieces of advanced medical equipment over time. “For close to 40 years, we’ve been able to upgrade the hospital’s infrastructure to a level of quality far and above what other rural communities have,” says Mary Kate McKenna, Executive Director of the Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation. “We feel these investments are critical for making health care in our community efficient and accessible, and ensuring that quality care is available locally.”
To receive your yearly mammogram, please call our Adventist Health Mendocino Coast Medical offices at 707- 961-4631 to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. For more information, please visit: https://www.adventisthealth.org/mendocino-coast/services/medical-imaging/.