The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is about one in eight. In fact, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer in the United States. But, thanks in part to continuous advances in technology, like the new digital mammography machine located at Florida Hospital East Orlando, these numbers are coming down while prevention and survivability rates continue to climb.

“New advances in digital mammography allow us to see more than we ever could several years ago,” says Dr. Idelisa Torres, physician radiologist at the Women’s Health Pavilion located at Florida Hospital East Orlando. “Not only are we able to see more but we’re also able to detect subtle cancer sooner.” According to Torres, older analog technology would display many readings as dense tissue, thus making it much more difficult to determine what was cancerous. “By seeing clearer we can more accurately determine a plan for diagnosis and treatment,” she says. “For instance, calcifications, or small bits of calcium seen in a mammogram, although most of the time benign, can be an early indication of cancer. The digital technology allows for earlier and more accurate detection allowing us to better treat those who need it.”

Even with all of the advances in technology, Torres stresses that it’s still vital to for women to have an annual mammogram to ensure nothing has developed. “As state-of-the-art as the technology might be, you still have to get an annual exam done because we look for the difference between one year and another,” she says. “If you skip a year, we can’t detect any changes that may have occurred as quickly, thus delaying the entire process.”

Women should start their program annually around the age of 35-years-old, unless otherwise noted from a physician or family history. At the Florida Hospital East Orlando Women’s Health Pavilion, doctors and staff are ready to help women of all ages, in all stages of health whenever they need it. “The digital mammography is just another way the hospital is helping to save the lives of those in our community,” says Torres. “It’s wonderful working at the Pavilion. Here we can provide all the care that is necessary for the patient that has a concern about her breast,” she adds. “She can have the mammogram, ultrasound and more. They are each read by myself immediately, and she leaves with the results in her hand.”

Ultimately, the new technology and is aimed to improve one thing for women in the area: quality of life. “The technology allows us to be ready when we’re needed,” says Torres. “Survival depends on early detection, what stage we catch the cancer and, of course, the treatment.”

Join Florida Hospital East Orlando as they stretch the Pink Ribbon Around the World September 13 at 11:00 a.m. when they turn the Waterford Lakes Town Center parking lot into a park-side French bistro for women to celebrate, connect and unwind. Women are invited to visit special stations throughout the day focusing on everything from beauty and cosmetics to self defense, yoga and even massage. Attendees will also be able to make Free Friendship Calls by calling women who are accepting calls in countries such as Switzerland, Austria, Germany, South Africa, Puerto Rico and Mexico to remind them of the importance of scheduling their annual mammogram. Before the festivities kick off officially, families are invited to come out for a 5K Family Fun Run starting at 10:00 a.m. benefiting the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. To learn more or to register for the 5K Fun Run visit www.floridahospitaleast.com.

Article by Corey Gehrold