KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |ETMC extends mammography services to Lake Palestine

ETMC extends mammography services to Lake Palestine

Released by Rebecca Berkley with East Texas Medical Center:

The comprehensive diagnostic services of the ETMC Breast Care Center have been extended to Lake Palestine, with the addition of all-new digital mammography technology, at ETMC Lake Palestine.

The Selenia^TM digital mammography system from Hologic® incorporates revolutionary imaging technology that provides exceedingly sharp images in less time than traditional mammography methods. This technology is the same equipment used at the ETMC Breast Care Center in Tyler and on the ETMC Mobile Mammography Unit.

"It's a tremendous commitment by ETMC to send this technology out to the communities," said Todd Sigmon, vice president of the ETMC Cancer Institute. "We try to help our affiliate hospitals in their communities by bringing technology to them."

This year digital mammography units were installed at ETMC South Broadway, ETMC Carthage, ETMC Quitman and ETMC Jacksonville. In December, a digital mammography unit will open at ETMC Pittsburg.

The ETMC mobile mammography program will continue to serve rural areas that do not have a permanent digital unit.

Dr. Michael Klouda, medical director of the ETMC Breast Care Center, will interpret all mammograms. He is board-certified in diagnostic radiology and completed a fellowship in breast imaging at the University of Chicago Hospitals. In Jacksonville, radiologist Dr. Daniel Bennett will assist Dr. Klouda in reading mammograms.

The American Cancer Society recommends women have a baseline mammogram at age 35, and annual mammograms beginning at age 40. The cost is covered by most health insurance plans or Medicare.

To schedule an appointment at a location near you call 1-800-648-8141 and press 3.