Breast cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the world. Only skin cancer and lung cancer affect more people worldwide. The prevalence of breast cancer and the volume of patients who need breast imaging have led to a higher standard of quality for breast imaging. These quality standards are mandated by the American College of Radiology, the organization that certifies Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence like the Breast Center.
Thanks to increased patient awareness, the demand for quality care, and the efforts of healthcare professionals, breast cancer mortality rates are lower than ever before.
These impressive results come from an unusually high standard of excellence. The Breast Center follows the American College of Radiology standards and is certified as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence — but what does that mean, exactly?
Breast cancer screening saves lives
According to the American College of Radiology, U.S. breast cancer mortality rates have decreased by almost 40% in the past three decades. Mammography screening is one of the main reasons for these lower mortality rates.
Annual screening for all women starting at age 40 saves the most lives. The American College of Radiology, the American Cancer Society, the American Medical Association, the Society for Breast Imaging, the National Cancer Institute, and the Breast Center recommend annual screening mammograms for women beginning at 40 years of age.
3 out of 4 women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease. Mammograms detect breast cancer in its early stages when it is most treatable. Click To TweetBreast imaging is radiology at its best
Radiologists specializing in breast imaging, like those at The Breast Center, strive for the highest possible quality of care. They were among the first radiology specialists to implement structured reporting and a common vocabulary for screening. Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System, or BI-RADS, is a standardized measuring system that helps patients understand their mammogram results.
A standardized system helps prevent miscommunication and misinterpretation of health data; this applies to healthcare professionals as well as patients. The structured data also allows for better use of data. As Artificial Intelligence and Big Data increasingly move into the medical field, structured data is more accessible for machine learning and enhanced human decision making.
Basically, it helps keeps everyone on the same page. The system also focuses on patient-friendly language. Patients are also better able to make decisions when they’re not confused by jargon.
Patient interaction
Another thing that sets the Breast Center apart is the level of patient communication and interaction. Breast imaging radiologists typically interact with patients more than radiologists in other fields do. If there is any cause for concern about a mammogram, for example, the breast imager will make sure to give the patient the news face to face, to reduce any confusion.
Whenever you get a screening mammogram, the interpreting physician sends you a written report of your mammography that explains the results in clear, understandable terms.
New technologies
Breast imagers embrace new technologies, and new uses of technologies. Ultrasound, MRI, tomosynthesis, contrast-enhanced mammography, and breast CT imaging are examples of powerful supplemental technologies.
These methods work with mammography to identify breast anomalies at the earliest possible stage, for the best possible results.
Breast Imaging Center of Excellence
The standard of quality for breast imaging is generally higher than most types of radiology. Still, some clinics choose to go above and beyond normal standards. The Breast Center is certified by the American College of Radiology as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.
This means that you will receive the highest possible quality of care when you visit the Breast Center. Call 479-422-6266 or request an appointment with the Breast Center online.