Groves Hospital Foundation (GHF) launched a fundraising campaign in June with the goal of raising $625,000 by March 2015, to purchase a state-of-the-art digital mammography machine for the diagnostic imaging department.
“Moving to digital mammography is essential in keeping up with the high standards required in today’s world of breast imaging,” GHF officials said in a press release.
“Groves wants its patients to feel confident and have peace of mind that the best mammography equipment is available to them in their community.”
Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Fergus purchased its first mammogram machine in 1988 and in 2001 upgraded to a newer film-based machine.
Last year Groves completed about 2,700 mammograms, which usually consist of four images, two on each breast.
The hospital has served as a site for the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) since 2006. Women between the ages of 50 and 74 are invited to join the OBSP, though women over the age of 74 may stay in the program.
To date, GHF has raised about $269,994 so far for the digital mammography machine.
Hospital officials say they are dedicated to maintaining the highest quality of care in mammography. They note the move to a digital machine offers the following advantages:
– reduced waiting time before diagnosis;
– exam time and radiation dose slightly reduced;
– may help avoid an invasive surgical procedure and unnecessary hospitalization;
– reduced period of immobilization;
– ability to screen more women in less time, reducing wait lists;
– images available within 10 seconds;
– increased detection of cancers in patients with dense breasts;
– fewer repeat exposures required;
– eliminating the need for a film processor, chemicals used to process films, and a film storage room; and
– easier transfer of images between health care facilities.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, the most reliable method of detecting breast cancer is screening mammography – and early diagnosis and treatment are keys to survival.
“Don’t wait until it’s too late – start getting screening mammograms today,” said Groves radiologist Dr. Nicholas Plaskos. “The best way to treat breast cancer is to detect it early.”
To donate to the campaign for the Groves digital mammography machine call 519-843-2010 ext. 3268 or donate at www.grovesfoundation.com.
