Bermuda Hospitals Board performs first 3D mammograms

Thursday 13 May 2021: Bermuda Hospitals Board performed three-dimensional (3D) mammograms for the first time on Wednesday 12 May.

Earlier this month, GE’s Pristina 3D mammography unit was installed in the Diagnostic Imaging Department of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, replacing the old 2D unit.

“There was a real excitement in the air with our mammography team,” said Imaging Services Clinical Manager Renee Butterfield.

“We are so proud that we not only have a 3D unit, but that our software is the most up to date of any on the island,” said technologists Carla Cann and Terri Farnan.

“We’re so pleased that everything is going to plan,” said Senior Imaging Technologist Terricca Smith. “All the staff are happy and so are our clients.”

Tanya Smith was the first person to have her mammogram using the new equipment.

“It was actually quicker than the last one that I remember,” she said. “It was great. I would say definitely come and get it done for sure. The ladies here make it so easy for you. You don’t even have to think about it. Before you know it you’re done and they are saying, ‘You’re done,’ and you are thinking, ‘Oh, ok that was so easy!’”

BHB upgraded its digital mammography unit to 3D to obtain clearer images. Research has shown that 3D mammography locates more cancers than its 2D predecessor and also reduces the number of false positives. The imaging unit creates a 3D picture of breast tissue using X-rays of several different angles around the breast.

A 2D mammogram creates a two-dimensional image from two X-ray images of each breast.

Installation of the Ivenia Automated Breast Ultrasound system will take place in the coming weeks. Combined with the new 3D mammogram it will provide better imaging of dense breast tissue.

“Better imaging produces clearer images and makes it easier to detect problems early,” said BHB Chief of Radiology Daniel Stovell, MD. “These upgrades represent a significant improvement in our service to the public.”

13 May 2021 Home Page, News

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital is on Snapchat and under pink lights

1 October 2018: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) is celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October with events and awareness campaigns organised by the Mammography Department.

BHB is expecting a social media buzz on Snapchat today with the Mammography Department filter and the main entrance of the Acute Care Wing will be under a pink glow commencing tonight and running for the entire month.

“BHB started offering mammography services in 1992 and since then have never wavered in our commitment to provide mammograms for all who need it,” said BHB Senior Imaging Technologist Terricca Smith.

“The pink entrance lighting shows the public that we continue to be dedicated to providing breast cancer education and testing. Research shows that early detection of breast cancer greatly improves survival rates, so we are eager for women to have regular mammograms,” she said.

BHB’s Mammography Department follows the guidelines of the American College of Radiology (ACR) which includes the age at which persons should have mammograms and the frequency with which they should be conducted. The guidelines stipulate the following:

  • Women aged 40 to 82 should get mammograms every year;
  • Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer;
  • All women should be familiar with the known benefits, limitations and potential harms linked to breast cancer screening;
  • Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any changes to a healthcare provider right away;
  • Women with a family history, genetic tendency or certain other factors, should in addition to a mammogram, be screened with MRI. (Very few women fall into this category);
  • Talk with a healthcare provider about your risk for breast cancer and the best screening plan for you.

The Mammography Department has allotted Thursday 25 October from 9am to 12pm as walk-in Mammogram Day. Individuals who meet the requirements above, set out by the ACR, can attend the department for a screening without an appointment.

To learn about other interesting things going on and opportunities to win prizes from the BHB mammography team during the month, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BermudaHospitals/

1 October 2018 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