KUSA-TV (Denver) | New technology in Longmont can better detect breast cancer
A new breast imaging technology now available in northern Colorado is helping doctors detect breast cancer earlier in some women with dense breast tissue, as rates of the disease continue to rise among younger patients, according to the American Cancer Society. UCHealth is the first health system in Colorado to offer contrast-enhanced mammography at its Breast Diagnostic Center at Longs Peak Medical Center in Longmont. This is a new type of mammogram that uses an IV contrast to create clearer images and help doctors find cancers that standard mammograms can miss. The American Cancer Society reports breast cancer rates continue to increase, especially among women under 50. That trend underscores the importance of early detection, said Dr. Elizabeth Vorhis, a breast radiologist with Advanced Medical Imaging Consultants. “When breast cancer is diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate is almost 100%,” Vorhis said. “The key is diagnosing it early.”