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Free Digital Mammography Screenings for B.C.A. Month

Shore Imaging Articles Comments Off on Free Digital Mammography Screenings for B.C.A. Month
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Shore Imaging will be providing free digital mammography screenings throughout the entire month of October.

Learn More About Digital Mammography

To Qualify You Must:

  • Be a women, age 40 or older
  • Be a resident of Ocean or Monmouth County
  • Have not had a mammogram in over a year
  • Be uninsured or under insured
  • Have no current breast related symptoms

Locations offering This Service:

Lakewood

Whiting


April is National Cancer Control Month

Shore Imaging Articles Comments Off on April is National Cancer Control Month

This year, an estimated half million Americans will lose their lives to cancer, and three times that many will be diagnosed with this devastating illness. Cancer patients are parents and grandparents, children and cherished friends; the disease touches almost all of us and casts a shadow over families and communities across our Nation. Yet, today, we stand at a critical moment in cancer research that promises significant advances for patients and an accelerated pace of lifesaving discoveries. During National Cancer Control Month this April, we remember those we have lost, support Americans fighting this disease, and recommit to progress toward effective cancer control.

Prevention and screening are our best defenses against cancer. All Americans can reduce their risk by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, limiting sun exposure, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, living tobacco-free, and taking advantage of appropriate regularly scheduled cancer screenings. For those covered by Medicare, regular screening with a healthcare professional can play a key role in preventing cancer and detecting the disease early, when it is often most treatable. Under the Affordable Care Act, more people with Medicare can now receive many preventive services at no additional cost.

Medicare provides coverage of the following cancer screenings:

  • Breast Cancer (mammography and clinical breast exam)
  • Cervical and Vaginal Cancer (pap test and pelvic exam (includes the clinical breast exam)
  • Prostate cancer (PSA blood test and Digital Rectal Exam)
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Fecal Occult Blood Test
  • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
  • Colonoscopy
  • Barium Enema

Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that a physician’s recommendation is the most powerful factor in a patient’s decision to receive preventive and screening services. By discussing Medicare-covered cancer screenings and other available options, and engaging patients in decision-making regarding their choices, you can help prevent, treat, and beat the disease. Encourage your patients to get screened—it could save their lives.

See the links below formore information:
MLN Guide to Medicare Preventive Services for Healthcare Professionals (see Chapter 11)
MLN Preventive Services Educational Products Webpage
MLN Cancer Screenings Brochure
MLN Quick Reference Information: Medicare Preventive Services
Tobacco-Use Cessation Counseling Services brochure
National Cancer Institute website
Smokefree.gov website


Shore Imaging Among the First Out-Patient Imaging Facilities in the New Jersey to Offer 3D Mammography

shoreadmin Articles Comments Off on Shore Imaging Among the First Out-Patient Imaging Facilities in the New Jersey to Offer 3D Mammography
breast-tomo

Ocean County, NJ, September 25th, 2013

Women who undergo routine mammograms at Shore Imaging now have the latest screening and diagnostic technology available to them.

Shore Imaging is one of the first women’s centers in New Jersey to offer tomosynthesis for breast cancer screening. Breast tomosynthesis (3D Mammography) helps radiologists identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue.

The center’s Selenia® Dimensions® breast tomosynthesis system is made by Hologic, a world leader in digital mammography. The Selenia Dimensions system offers exceptionally sharp breast images, an advanced ergonomic design providing more patient comfort, and the ground-breaking tomosynthesis platform designed to deliver superior screening and diagnostic performance.

Breast cancer screening with tomosynthesis when combined with a conventional 2D mammography has a higher cancer detection rate than conventional 2D mammography alone.1 Radiologists are reporting that tomosynthesis technology gives them increased confidence with a significant reduction in recall rates. 2

During a tomosynthesis exam, multiple, low-dose images of the breast are acquired at different angles. These images are then used to produce a series of one-millimeter thick slices that can be viewed as a 3D reconstruction of the breast.

By offering women the latest technology in mammography, Shore Imaging hopes to increase the number of area women who will be routinely screened. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics indicate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s chance of survival. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. 3

Shore Imaging is committed to the fight against breast cancer. In offering breast tomosynthesis digital mammography, Shore Imaging provides the latest in imaging quality. If you would like to schedule a mammogram or have questions about this important breast health procedure, please contact our scheduling department.

The primary mission of Shore Imaging is to offer high quality, acute health care and preventative medical care in a caring and compassionate manner. Shore Imaging provides care and services without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or ability to pay. For further information, please call 732-364-9565

1 Skaane P, Gullien R, Eben EB, et. al. Reading time of FFDM and tomosynthesis in a population-based screening program.
Radiological Society of North America annual meeting. Chicago, Il, 2011.
2 FDA PMA submission P080003.
3 Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2011, American Cancer Society.


Finding Thyroid Cancer Earlier

shoreadmin Articles Comments Off on Finding Thyroid Cancer Earlier

Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within your thyroid. The thyroid gland is located in front of the neck just above the neckline and is shaped like a butterfly, with two lobes on either side of the neck connected by a narrow band of tissue.

The great majority of thyroid nodules aren’t serious and don’t cause symptoms. However, thyroid cancer does account for a small percentage of thyroid nodules. A few thyroid nodules are cancerous (malignant) but it’s difficult to tell which nodules are malignant by symptoms alone. Although size isn’t a predictor of whether a nodule is malignant or not, cancerous thyroid tumors are more likely to be large fixed masses that grow quickly.

You often won’t know you have a thyroid nodule until your doctor discovers it during a routine medical exam. Some thyroid nodules, however, may become large enough to press on your windpipe, making it uncomfortable or difficult to swallow.

Several conditions can cause one or more nodules to develop in your thyroid gland: Iodine deficiency; Overgrowth of normal thyroid tissue; Thyroid cyst; Chronic inflammation of the thyroid (thyroiditis); Multinodular goiter; Thyroid cancer.

Although the chances that a nodule is malignant are small, you’re at higher risk if you have a family history of thyroid or other endocrine cancers, are younger than 30 or older than 60, are a man, or have a history of radiation exposure, particularly to the head and neck. A nodule that is large and hard or causes pain or discomfort is more worrisome in terms of malignancy.

Tests and Diagnosis:

Testing for thyroid nodules usually involves an Ultrasound of the thyroid and diagnosis is performed with Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration biopsy.

What is Ultrasound of the Thyroid?

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves rather than radiation to produce images. It provides the best information about the shape and structure of thyroid nodules and may be used to distinguish cysts from solid nodules, to determine if multiple nodules are present and as a guide in performing a fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Although Ultrasound is very good at detecting nodules in the thyroid gland, it is not always possible to tell from an ultrasound whether a nodule is benign (non-cancerous) or cancerous. This is why certain thyroid nodules must be evaluated with Ultrasound guided Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA).

What is Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Biopsy of the Thyroid?

FNA biopsy is a minimally-invasive procedure that helps to distinguish between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. During a fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid, a small sample of tissue is removed under ultrasound guidance by our specially trained board-certified radiologist, Dr. Sunita Mann, who has advanced experience in needle aspirations and ultrasound of the thyroid gland. Several specimens are taken for a complete analysis.

At Shore Imaging, Dr. Sunita Mann performs these biopsies on an out-patient basis and the specimen is immediately handed off to a cytopathology technologist who comes for each of these procedures from the Pathology lab. The technologist looks at the specimen under a microscope and lets Dr. Mann know right away if the specimens are adequate for diagnosis. This means no uncertainty about whether there is enough tissue in the biopsy specimen. These samples are then sent to the Pathologist who examines them under a microscope to determine a diagnosis.

What are the benefits and risks?
Benefits

The results of needle biopsy of the thyroid are close to 95% accurate for adequate biopsies. Needle biopsy is a reliable method of obtaining tissue samples that can help diagnose whether a nodule is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant. A needle biopsy is less invasive than open and closed surgical biopsies, both of which involve a larger incision in the skin and often require general anesthesia. Generally, the procedure is not painful and the results are as accurate as when a tissue sample is removed surgically. Recovery time is brief and patients can soon resume their usual activities.

Risks

Bleeding at the site of biopsy is usually minimal because of the small size of the needle used. Infection is very uncommon.
Injury to structures adjacent to the thyroid is avoided by the use of the ultrasound for guidance.

Treating cancerous nodules:

If a thyroid nodule is cancerous, surgery is usually required. Generally, most or all of your thyroid gland is removed, after which you’ll need to take thyroid hormone replacement therapy for the rest of your life. Most thyroid cancers are found early, though, and have a good prognosis.

Find out more:

If your doctor has determined that you should have a thyroid ultrasound or Ultrasound-guided FNA biopsy of a thyroid nodule, contact Shore Imaging at 732-364-9565 today.

More about Thyroid Biopsies


Should I Be Worried About My Breast Pain?

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About Breast Pain

Benign (non-cancerous) breast problems have been estimated to affect as many as 50 to 70 percent of women in the U.S. The most common benign breast complaint is premenstrual breast discomfort and lumpy breasts.
These complaints have been labeled as a fibrocystic condition. The term “fibrocystic” can be frightening. It is simply a medical term that describes lumpy and painful breasts. It is important to note that most fibrocystic breast tissue is not associated with an increased risk for the development of breast cancer.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms range from mild, annoying generalized discomfort to tingling, stinging, or sharp pain throughout the breast. The breasts may feel full or heavy, and it may be uncomfortable to sleep on your stomach or wear a bra. The breasts may simply feel lumpy. Symptoms of tenderness, swelling and lumpiness vary with the menstrual cycle and are usually more severe just before menstruation.

Why do women have it?

Normal breasts are affected by changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. Premenstrual levels of estrogen and progesterone cause the breast to feel more lumpy and/ or swollen. In many women, the lumpiness and/or pain becomes more pronounced as they get older. Perhaps this is a result of increased sensitivity to these normal hormones. The breasts usually feel most tender during the week before menstruation. Sometimes the breasts are painful through most of the cycle.

What can I do about it?

Relief and comfort for premenstrual breast symptoms include mechanical, dietary, pharmacological and psychological measures. A well-fitted support bra (e.g. sports bra) worn 24-hours a day when the breasts are most sensitive may help relieve pain associated with movement. Changing to a larger bra size may be helpful if breast swelling occurs. Heat, in the form of a heating pad, warm compresses, or a bath can provide relief. For some women, using an ice pack or cold compress may be more effective.
For women who are overweight, weight loss and ideal weight maintenance may reduce breast pain. A low-fat, high carbohydrate diet may reduce breast pain. Reducing salt in the diet and increasing noncaffeinated fluids (8-10 glasses a day) may decrease the tendency for the breasts to swell. Eliminate methylxanthines (caffeine, theophylline, theobromine) from the diet. These are found in coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate, and some medications. Vitamin B1 (100 mg) each day and Vitamin E (800 I.U.) daily may be helpful.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen may help reduce discomfort. Stress can affect breast pain indirectly because emotions can influence hormone levels, which, in turn, affect the breasts.
There is no guaranteed remedy for cyclical breast discomfort. However, the good news is that it is not a sign of breast cancer, and usually disappears with the onset of menopause. Persistent, localized breast pain is an infrequent danger sign but should not be ignored. See your doctor for a complete breast examination and mammogram, if appropriate.

Get Screened

The Women’s Center at Shore Imaging provides breast health diagnostic procedures such as: screening and diagnostic mammography, stereotactic biopsy, ultrasound and ultrasound-guided biopsy.
Bone density screening and evaluations are also provided. A Mammogram is very affordable, with our rates starting as low as $100 for patients without insurance.


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