With the focus on patient comfort, convenience, and privacy, the new Women’s Imaging Center at Cary Medical Center will feature the most advanced diagnostic mammography services in northern Maine, including the addition of state-of-the-art digital mammography and stereotactic breast biopsy systems.
According to Dr. Shawn Laferriere, Chief of Radiology at Cary Medical Center, the Women’s Imaging Center will feature the Siemens Mammomat Inspiration Full-Field Digital Mammography, and Siemens MammoTest Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Systems. The Mammomat Inspiration offers digital screening and diagnostic mammography producing excellent image quality using industry leading technology designed to minimize the patient’s radiation dose and exposure time. There currently is no other unit of its kind north of Boston.
“Our new patient navigator program is designed to enhance access to all aspects of breast care at Cary, by helping to provide more efficient delivery of care, improved sharing of resources, and removal of barriers to care, all through enhanced relationships with each of our patients.”
Chief of Radiology
Cary Medical Center
“The hospital’s purchase of the Siemens Mammomat Inspiration represents our dedication to using the highest quality full-field digital mammography system,” Laferriere said.
“We are also very proud to bring the first fully digital stereotactic biopsy system to Cary and Aroostook County,” Laferriere continued. “The new breast biopsy system allows for a minimally invasive procedure with increased patient comfort. The system is capable of identifying the smallest calcifications, allowing for a more precise and efficient diagnosis,” he explained.
“With our existing breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging, (MRI) and breast ultrasound testing capabilities, the addition of our new equipment will provide our patients with the most advanced breast diagnostic services in Aroostook County,” Laferriere added.
Complementing the new technology, the Center will provide a “spa” like private patient waiting area and individual changing rooms with personal lockable armoires. The center’s specialty trained mammography team will also engage patients in a “navigation process” helping women through their procedures whether a routine screening mammogram or a diagnostic exam, making sure the patient has the best possible experience with support from her medical team.
“Having survived breast cancer for nearly 25 years now, I know there is hope after diagnosis. But it is imperative that we find and treat breast cancer as early as possible. Having the most advanced technology right here will truly help save the lives of women in Aroostook County.”
Breast Cancer Survivor
“Our new patient navigator program is designed to enhance access to all aspects of breast care at Cary by helping to provide more efficient delivery of care, improved sharing of resources, and removal of barriers to care, all through enhanced relationships with each of our patients,” the radiologist explained. “It’s our goal to not only bring advanced state-of-the-art technologies to northern Maine, but to also create an overall breast care program designed at improving the coordination of high quality breast care. This means providing same-day diagnostic mammography results for our patients with the opportunity to meet with one of our radiologists and review their exam one-on-one, so that each patient understands their results before they leave the center.”
The Center will also maintain a library of educational resources, and when appropriate, will help women obtain prosthetic supplies, professional fittings and offer other support as needed.
The $800,000 hospital project is being funded through a capital campaign project currently ongoing by the Jefferson Cary Foundation. With generous donations totaling just over $700,000 to date from several sources, including both Cary and Pines Health Services employees, volunteers, and board members; the Cary Ladies Auxiliary, the Foundation, and many corporate/community donations, the Center is scheduled to open by year’s end.
“We are so proud and humbled by the generosity and support for this project by our Cary and Pines families, all of the local civic groups, corporate and individual donors and local community, “ said Kris Doody, RN, MSB, Cary Chief Executive Officer. “Early detection of breast cancer with regular mammogram screenings is so critical for our patients. The time is now right for the hospital to raise the bar in making these advanced services available to them.”
During this construction/renovation phase of the project, mammograms are being done with the existing mammography equipment in another area of the radiology department at Cary.
“We want to extend a thank you to all of our patients for their patience during our renovation time in the department,” added Leslie Anderson, PT, MSB, Manager of Imaging and Rehabilitation Services. “We are so excited about our new Women’s Imaging Center. Our staff is ready and looking forward to serving our patients with our personalized navigator program, and working with the latest in digital mammography technology.”
‘Pink Aroostook’ project provides support for local women
By Tamra Kilcollins
Cary Community Relations
The “Pink Aroostook” project began in 2011 funded through a one-year grant awarded to Cary Medical Center from the Susan G. Komen Foundation. According to Project Coordinator Bethany Zell, program goals have focused on promoting breast health education and connecting women to local and national resources that may be able to assist with transportation, financial and emotional support as they undergo breast cancer treatment.
Another primary goal of the “Pink Aroostook” project has been to establish a local breast cancer support group in Aroostook County.
The “Pink Aroostook” support group meets the first and third Thursday of every month from 5 – 7 p.m., in the Cary Medical Center Chan Center. There are currently nine active support group members who have become as passionate as Zell about connecting women to resources, so much so, that six members were able to attend the American Cancer Society’s “Reach to Recovery” volunteer training in Bar Harbor in September. “Reach to Recovery” volunteers are breast cancer survivors who are available 24/7 to connect with newly diagnosed patients who need to talk about their fears and ask questions of someone who has survived breast cancer.
“Networking and sharing information and experiences with fellow cancer survivors and women undergoing treatment is so helpful and important,” Zell explained. “We want women in Aroostook County to know that we are here and available if they need us. The ladies in my support group are incredible women, and we’re so excited about being able to provide ‘Reach to Recovery’ support right here at home. The American Cancer Society tries to match survivors by age, location, type of breast cancer and treatments they have undergone, so this will now provide more local resources for the women who call in to the American Cancer Society’s hotline,” she explained.
In addition to the support group and Reach to Recovery training, Zell explained that she will also be partnering very closely with Kim Wilcox, the Breast Health Navigator at the new Women’s Imaging Center at Cary, “so that we can be there as a resource for women right from the time of their diagnosis if they choose.”
Zell explained that although the Komen grant funding has essentially run out for this year, “we are committed to Pink Aroostook and determined to keep our project going,” she said. “We’ve partnered with Cary Medical Center and other local groups that have been so supportive and held several fundraiser events, and we’ll be re-applying to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for funding in 2013.”
For more information about Pink Aroostook and the Breast Cancer Support Group, please call Pink Aroostook Coordinator, Bethany Zell at 551-4284, e-mail: bzell@carymed.org; visit their webpage at www.pinkaroostook.org, or find Pink Aroostook on Facebook.
stay well and reduce your cancer risk
TOPSHAM — As National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October is a time we often focus on how to give back to help fight breast cancer. But what can you – and the women you love – do to personally fight the disease?
Everyday lifestyle choices can do a lot to help you stay well and reduce your cancer risk. One-third of cancer deaths each year are attributed to diet, physical inactivity, and obesity, and another one-third are due to the use of tobacco products. While there are breast cancer risk factors you can’t change, such as age and genetics, there are others, like postmenopausal obesity, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity, which you have the power to do something about.
The American Cancer Society recommends women (and men) avoid tobacco, maintain a healthy weight, stay physically active throughout life, and eat a healthy diet. It’s also important women see their doctors regularly and have regular cancer screening tests.
Staying active means engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity each week for adults, or an equivalent combination, preferably spread throughout the week.
Eating right means choosing a plant-based diet – at least 2 and one half cups of vegetables and fruits each day, whole grains instead of processed (refined) grains, and limiting how much processed and red meats you eat. Women should also limit themselves to 1 alcoholic beverage a day, as breast cancer risk appears to increase with alcohol consumption.
Getting screened means having a clinical breast exam every three years for women ages 20-39, and having a mammogram and a clinical breast exam annually for women 40 and older. While cancer screening tests cannot prevent breast cancer, they may help catch the disease early, when it is easiest to treat.
This October, make a choice to stay well and reduce your cancer risk. You can begin your fight against breast cancer today. Find the tools you need to stay well by calling your American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visiting cancer.org.
Healthy Recipe
Pumpkin Oat Muffins
Pumpkin is filled with beta-carotene, which may protect against cancers and heart disease. Canned pumpkin is almost equal to fresh in nutrients. To make these muffins “tops,” beat them no more than 15 seconds. Overbeating results in muffins that have a tough texture and the possibility of tunnels in the middle.
6 cups oat cereal flakes
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup sugar
5 cups whole-wheat flour
5 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon dried ground ginger
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup golden raisins
2 eggs, beaten
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 quart low-fat buttermilk
3/4 cup canola oil
Paper muffin cups
Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line three muffin pans with paper muffin cups. In a large bowl, mix together cereal, salt, sugar, flour, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon. Stir in raisins. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, pumpkin, vanilla, buttermilk, and oil. Stir until blended. Mix wet ingredients with try until batter just holds together. Do not over mix. Spoon batter into muffin cups (about two thirds full).
Bake for 17 minutes. Makes 40 muffins. Per Serving: Calories: 158, Total Fat: 5.0 g
Editor’s note: This recipe is taken from “Celebrate! Healthy Entertaining for Any Occasion,” copyright 2001 by American Cancer Society. Reprinted by permission.
