UCHealth offers latest in breast cancer screening

New study shows 3-D mammography provides improved breast cancer detection
June 26, 2014

AURORA, Colo. – University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) is now offering 3-D digital breast mammography screening, called tomosynthesis, as its standard of care. This means UCH and its clinics around the Denver metro area, including the Anschutz Medical Campus, Lone Tree, and the Pink Life Saver—the mobile mammography coach, offer the 3-D technology to all patients, and at no additional cost.

Multiple studies, including one published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, show 3-D mammography results in a 35-40% increased breast cancer detection rate, while simultaneously decreasing the chance of false ]positives. Fewer false positives mean fewer patients will experience stress about the possibility of having cancer, when in fact they don’t have cancer. This also reduces the likelihood for unnecessary rescreens and biopsies, which means patients’ care is both safer and less expensive.

Dr. Wei-Shin Wang, Breast Imaging Section Chief for Radiology at University of Colorado Hospital, says “3-D mammography is a game changer because radiologists are able to see the breast in one millimeter slices, which allows them to get a closer look at the tissue and see smaller tumors that could have been missed on a regular 2-D mammogram.”

In addition to the centrally located Anschutz Campus site, the Lone Tree Breast Center enables patients who live in the south metro area to get screened and maintain their care in a more convenient manner.

UCH is also offering 3-D mammography on the Pink Life Saver, the only 3-D mobile coach in the Rocky Mountain region. Studies show the number one reason women skip their mammogram is because they are too busy. The Pink Life Saver is designed to travel to locations throughout the Denver metro area making screenings as convenient as possible.

“I know women whose lives have been saved because of a mammogram,” said Dana Knapp, manager of breast imaging at the University of Colorado Hospital. “That’s why we want to make screenings as easy as possible. Women can look up the schedule and either walk-in or make an appointment for a mammogram on the Pink Life Saver. We also allow businesses to bring the vehicle to their employees, so a screening is as easy as walking outside on your lunch break.”

The Pink Life Saver was donated to the hospital last year in part from the funds raised from the University of Colorado Foundation’s annual gala, Men for the Cure. This year, the charity will identify another need for 2014’s proceeds that will contribute to breast cancer treatment at UCH.

>> See an example video of 3-D mammography.

To book a screening with any of our Breast Center locations and mobile coach, call 720-848-1030.

About University of Colorado Hospital

University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) is the Rocky Mountain region’s leading academic medical center. UCH is best known as an innovator in patient care and often as one of the first hospitals to bring new medicine to the patients’ bedside. University HealthSystem Consortium named UCH the #1 Academic Medical Center in quality in the nation in both 2011 and 2012, and U.S. News & World Report named University of Colorado Hospital the best hospital in Colorado in 2012 and 2013. UCH is one of five Colorado hospitals that make up University of Colorado Health. The hospital’s physicians are affiliated with the University of Colorado School of Medicine, part of the University of Colorado system. Based on the expansive Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado, the hospital is where patient care, research and education converge to establish the future of health care delivery.

Contact: Jessica Berry 720-848-5878 or [email protected]