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Pink lights at KEMH for breast cancer awareness

Friday 30 September 2022: The main entrance of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital will be bathed in a soft pink light every night during the month of October. The light is to remind the public to manage their breast health and to highlight breast cancer awareness.

Last year Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) upgraded its 2D mammography unit to a 3D unit. The GE Pristina machine produces significantly clearer images. Research has shown that more cancers are detected with 3D mammography than with 2D.

BHB also has an automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) unit that can soon be used as an adjunct to the mammogram service, for people with dense breast tissue. Research shows that using the ABUS increases by 35.7 percent, the potential to find cancers that would not have been found with mammography alone.

Physician referrals are not required for mammograms at BHB. Members of the public 40 and over are advised to have a scan annually. Those who have a family history of breast cancer can contact the BHB mammography unit directly on 239- 1223 for advice on when they should be scanned.

30 September 2022 Home Page, News

BHB resumes biopsies with its new 3D mammography machine

Wednesday 9 June 2021: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) is pleased to announce the resumption of stereotactic biopsy (biopsies that are carried out using our mammography machine) service today. The recent upgrade to the GE Pristina 3D mammography unit meant these types of biopsies had to be delayed until staff were fully trained on the new machine. That training has started, and today the first patients received their biopsies using the new equipment.

Imaging Services staff are excited about the upgrade and training, and the improvement this brings to their patients.

The first patient today, a 54-year-old woman, said she was pleased to have the procedure on state-of-the-art equipment.

She said:  “It was great. The staff were wonderful, they fully explained the procedure and I didn’t feel a thing. I was comfortable and relaxed and now am eager to get the results. I’m staying positive that it will be good news.”

“In diagnostic imaging, image clarity is what we get excited about,” said Chief of Radiology Daniel Stovell, MD. “The clearer the image, the better our ability to detect, diagnose and treat any abnormalities.”

BHB is the only provider of 3D stereotactic breast biopsy in Bermuda at this time.

9 June 2021 Home Page, News

KEMH Mammography Department puts breast health first

18 October 2017: BHB today announces a special breast health awareness day on Tuesday 24 October 2017 at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital Mammography Department.  The goal is to help women over 40 who have not had their mammogram this year with a special walk-in service from 8am to 11am, and and open house from noon to 2pm so women who haven’t had their first mammogram yet can come in and meet the team, ask questions and see the equipment over refreshments.

Senior Imaging Technologist of Mammography, Terricca Smith, comments: “We know that many women fear their mammogram will be painful, and just having the test can result in anxiety that something will be found.  As it is breast health awareness month, on Tuesday 24 October we wanted to give women the chance to ask our mammography technologist questions and see the equipment at an open house between noon and 2pm. This is especially for women who might be close to having their first mammogram and have concerns or questions, but any woman is welcome if they want to come and see the service we offer at the hospital.”

Mrs Smith adds: “We also know that women 40 and over are extremely busy with careers and home responsibilities. It is easy to forget to make that mammogram appointment, so we are having a special walk in mammography service on the same day from 8am to 11am. Women 40 or over who have had not had a mammogram in the last year can walk in and get their test. Your breast health is our concern and, as early detection saves lives, we want to help make women as comfortable as possible about their mammogram. ”

Mammography Facts:

  • According to the Bermuda Tumour Registry Annual Report 2016:
    • Breast cancer was the most registered cancer in Bermuda in 2015 irrespective of gender (62) followed by prostate cancer (56) (p7)
    • For women in Bermuda, breast cancer had the highest number of registered cancers (62), followed by cervix uteri cancers (26) and colorectal cancers (10) (p8)
    • 1 in 5 (20.9%) of breast cancers occurred in women aged 40 to 49 in Bermuda in 2015 (p8)
  • According to the Bermuda Tumour Registry Annual Report 2015:
    • 72.4% of registered breast cancers in Bermuda were diagnosed as in situ or stage 1 (p13)
    • According to the American Cancer Society, the survival statistics by stage are:
    •      Stage  5-year Relative Survival Rate
                0 100%
                 1 100%
                 2 93%
                 3 72%
                4 22%
18 October 2017 Home Page, News