(Bay Shore, New York) - Lorraine Pace, Co-President, Breast Cancer Help, Inc., says she welcomes the latest breast cancer imaging technology to Long Island and urges all women to take advantage of this technological development and go for early detection.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new imaging device from Hologic which uses a process called tomosynthesis, in which 15 X-ray images of the breast are taken in one sweeping arc. This provides the angles needed to better detect cancers that may not be picked up by conventional imaging methods. This new technology is currently being used at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow. Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip will begin to use it once its new women's imaging center opens August 1.
Breast Cancer Help, Inc. has been in the forefront in helping to ensure that women on Long Island have access to the most advanced diagnosis and treatment. The organization was responsible for the delivery of two of the three modules for the Novalis Laser Surgery Machine, which is used for the treatment of many types of cancer, at Stony Brook University Medical Center's Radiation and Oncology Department. Breast Cancer Help also paid for the lease of a digital mammography system at Stony Brook University Medical Center's Cancer Center.
In addition, Breast Cancer Help provided funding for a CADstream (Computer-Aided Detection) Magnetic Resonance Imaging reader at Stony Brook University Medical Center. In 2008, Breast Cancer Help received a $500,000 grant from the state for a digital mammography system for North Shore Long Island Jewish Southside Hospital.
"We are very glad to see this enhanced technology come to Long Island, where incidence of breast cancer is very high," Ms. Pace said. "This will provide better detection for women, especially for women with dense areas of the breast, and eliminate false positives and unnecessary biopsies. Women on Long Island should take advantage of this advanced technology, as there is still no cure for breast cancer. The best way to combat this deadly disease is with early detection. Hopefully, we will find a cause and a cure for this increasingly prevalent disease."
For more information, call (631) 675-9003 or visit www.breastcancerhelpinc.org.
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Breast Cancer Help, Inc. is a not-for-profit grass roots organization with a focus on action and advocacy to eradicate breast cancer. Founded in 1994 by Lorraine Pace, a two time breast cancer survivor, and Father Thomas Arnao, Breast Cancer Help, Inc. uses a four pronged approach to promoting education and awareness of breast cancer issues. The first of these prongs is the West Islip breast cancer mapping project initiated by Lorraine Pace, which mobilized patients and pinpointed breast cancer clusters. This original mapping project, which spearheaded the breast cancer environmental movement, has now spread to other parts of New York, the U.S. and internationally. Since its inception, the group's goal has been to raise awareness and promote education for the cause, treatment, and cure of the disease; while maintaining a focus on action and advocacy to eradicate breast cancer. It has accomplished this by mobilizing patients into coalitions leading to breast cancer mapping projects, serving as advocates to change state and local laws to protect breast cancer patients, and working to bring about positive changes in protecting the environment. Breast Cancer Help, Inc. has helped to ensure that Long Islanders have access to the best possible diagnosis and care through the purchase of cutting edge medical and research equipment. It has also supported research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. In 2003, Breast Cancer Help opened its Long Island Cancer Help and Wellness Center, now located at 32 Park Avenue in Bay Shore to provide increased cancer awareness to promote education and early detection while providing patients and survivors with much needed support.