Women’s Health
Improved Breast Health Diagnostics
Mammograms are often viewed as a necessary nuisance but so vital
to the prevention of breast cancer for women. “Breast cancer is the
second leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States,
second only to lung cancer,” says Lisa Nummi, COO for Blake Medical
Center. The early detection of breast cancer in women is incredibly
important.
We have the only machine in this area that actually provides patientcontrolled
breast compression as well as contrast-enhanced spectral
mammography which assists in localizing to areas of concern or
increased blood flow.” Physicians can also utilize the same machine
to do a stereotactic biopsy of a lesion. This machine is so sensitive, it can detect even the smallest
lesion,” Nummi says. This process can be done quickly and with enhanced patient comfort and is a
much-improved process. We hope that the patient benefits of this new technology will help ease the
hesitancy some women have in getting their annual mammograms and improve the rate of annual
mammography screenings. Detecting cancer early helps to save lives and reduce potential costs. It’s a
win-win for everyone.
Stroke Lab
Blake’s certified Comprehensive Stroke Center includes a state-ofthe
art Neurointerventional Laboratory featuring a bi-plane room
and a new advanced, extremely detailed MRI. Also, integrated
innovative communications technologies allow teams of clinicians
to receive scans via an app on a cell phone simultaneously within
minutes of being taken, enhancing the speed with which stroke care
can be provided.
When it comes to stroke, time is brain, ideally providing treatment
no later than the first 60 minutes from when symptoms occur.
Neurologists can do telehealth interactive exams with the patient,
providing additional time-saving steps in the treatment process.
TPA, a clot-busting medicine, can be given right away. Highly
specialized teams utilize the technology to help stop strokes and can
even access clots in the brain and remove clots, helping to restore
circulation to the brain. Utilizing the newest technology, specialized
stroke care teams may treat brain aneurisms from inside the blood
vessel without any need for open surgery.
“Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and 5th leading cause
of death in the United States,” states Nummi. This process decreases
the chance of disability and death. “Technology has brought us the
ability to react very quickly.” The focus in stroke treatment now is
not only reducing damage from a stroke, but also trying to prevent
secondary strokes.
Lisa Nummi
The Neurointerventional Lab at
Blake Medical Center features biplane
imaging, one of the most advanced
interventional medical imaging
technologies available.
Mammography Technician Anne Trefil
uses the GE Senographe Pristina 3D
Mammography System at Blake Medical
Center’s Center for Breast Health.
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