Dignity Health | Be well | Spring 2018

IMAGING The new scanner can also be used to screen for breast cancer if needed. For women at high risk, doctors often advise a yearly breast MRI and mammogram. “So this capability is a real advantage for area women,” Hinojosa says. If you get uneasy in confined spaces, there’s another plus: The new scanner is roomier and can accommodate bigger patients. And it will be much quieter than older scanners. With your help: 3-D mammograms With funds from a $140,000 fund- raising campaign currently under- way, we’re hoping to convert all of our mammography equipment to have 3-D capability by this May. It’s a crucial goal. Compared to stan- dard mammograms, 3-D images give doctors a clearer view of breast tissue. “This means they can reduce the number of callbacks,” Hinojosa says. Avoiding these false alarms can help prevent unnecessary test- ing and worry. In addition, 3-D mammograms may help catch more cancers, Hinojosa says. And it may catch them earlier, when they’re often easier to treat. Three-dimensional mammograms are appropriate for any woman, says Hinojosa. But they may be especially good for women with dense breasts, I WANT TO HELP! Donate to our 3-D mammogram campaign. 530.926.9318 whose mammograms are sometimes difficult to read. Insurance coverage varies, so it’s a good idea to check with your health plan to find out if 3-D mammograms are covered under your plan. “We are so thankful for those who have donated to this important project,” says Alisa Johnson, Development Officer for Mercy Foundation North. “Because of our donors, this state-of-the-art equipment will be available to our community very soon.” CT scans use X-rays taken from different angles to create detailed images of a cross- section of the body. Ideal for: bones, organs, tissue, blood vessels Now see this: How each test works MRI scans use a strong magnet and radio waves to create detailed images of nearly any internal body structure. Ideal for: joints, brain, spinal cord 3-D mammograms use low-dose X-rays taken from different angles to create a three-dimensional image of the breast. Ideal for: breast cancer screening 9 Dignity Health North State