January 26, 2017 — Gamma Medica recently announced that through its collaboration with Ohio-based Alpha Imaging, Indiana-based Major Health Partners (MHP) has purchased and installed Gamma Medica’s LumaGEM molecular breast imaging (MBI) system. It is the state’s first LumaGEM and the hospital’s first MBI.
The MBI technology will be offered as a secondary screening and diagnostic tool following mammography, particularly for women with dense breast tissue. The system will enhance early breast cancer detection for women who face a greater risk of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women, causing approximately 40,000 annual deaths in the United States alone. More than 40 percent of U.S. women have dense breast tissue, which both increases the risk of developing breast cancer and decreases the visibility of a cancer on conventional mammograms. Until undergoing their first mammogram, most women are unaware of the condition and may not fully understand its potential significance.
Designed for dense breast tissue, MBI technology significantly improves early detection of breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue. The technology has proven to be as effective, or more, as a secondary screening method compared to full-field ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with far fewer false positives. Clinical research shows use of LumaGEM MBI reduces the need for tissue biopsies by 50 percent compared to other modalities. MBI is also more comfortable and better tolerated by most patients than conventional mammography or MRI.
“Alpha Imaging is pleased to have the LumaGEM MBI system in our portfolio,” said Mike Colaiacovo, VP of sales at Alpha Imaging. “Coupled with breast tomosynthesis, MBI allows us to provide a more comprehensive solution to our clients. It’s one more advancement in early detection of breast cancer.”
“The Mayo Clinic and others have shown the utility of MBI for both supplemental screening for breast cancer with underlying dense breast tissue and diagnostic problem-solving in breast healthcare,” said Scott Miller, M.D., radiologist at MHP. “We consider MBI to be an integral component of breast cancer diagnosis, and we were impressed by the data documenting a significant increase in cancer detection rates through use of the LumaGEM MBI system.”
A retrospective study that was published in the American Journal of Roentgenology’s August 2016 issue monitored over 1,700 women with dense breast tissue over a three-year period. The study confirmed LumaGEM’s additional cancer detection rate of 7.7 cancers per thousand, an increase from 3 cancers per thousand with mammography alone. The study also concluded that of the additional breast cancers found, approximately 85 percent of these cancers were node negative, indicating they were detected at an early stage and therefore presented a better prognosis.
To educate women about the importance of MBI and breast density, Gamma Medica launched the Be Certain campaign, which aims to give physicians and women access to the most accurate clinical information on breast density and breast cancer detection. In addition to education, Gamma Medica is committed to increasing the number of accurate early breast cancer screenings through installations at major facilities.
For more information: www.gammamedica.com
