Digital Mammography Available

 At HVRA’s Danbury Office

DANBURY — Housatonic Valley Radiological Associates (HVRA), with satellite offices in Ridgefield, New Milford, and Southbury, has announced that it now offers the latest in digital mammography technology at HVRA’s 67 Sand Pit Road location in Danbury. The technology is also available to referrals made to the practice by Newtown’s Kevin’s Community Center.

The technology uses Fuji’s computed radiography for mammography (FCRm) system, developed by FujiFilm Medical Systems USA, Inc. “This is the most advanced screening technology available,” said Dr Conrad Ehrlich, medical director at HVRA, “for identifying cancers early when they are most treatable.

“Screening mammography is still recognized as the most effective tool available for the early detection of breast cancer,” Dr Ehrlich explained.

A recent landmark study stated that digital mammography offers significant benefits to certain groups of women.

Digital mammography is a mammogram that uses advanced new detection technologies and computers instead of film. A recent clinical study of more than 42,000 women found this digital methodology to be better than film-screen mammography for detecting breast cancer in three groups: women under 50, pre- and perimenopausal women, and women with dense breasts. Digital mammograms are 15 percent more accurate among women under age 50 or who are not yet in menopause, and 11 percent more accurate among women with dense breasts.

From the patient’s perspective, the procedure for a digital mammogram is the same as for a conventional film mammogram. The difference is that the images are available almost immediately, therefore no film development time is necessary. The wait time for results is significantly reduced. “My ambition is to always provide a woman with the results before she leaves our office. If further tests are required, we perform them while she is still in our office the same day,” said Dr Ehrlich.

After a patient’s exam, resulting images are stored in HVRA’s picture archive and communications system and available immediately to the patient’s doctor, with the full radiological report available to the doctor within 24 hours.

“The benefits of Fuji’s digital mammography are not only allowing us to do our jobs more effectively and efficiently but, more importantly, they are enabling us to provide the top level of care for our breast imaging patients,” explained Dr Ehrlich.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 15 and 54, and the second cause of cancer death in women 55 to 74. In Connecticut, 500 women are expected to die from breast cancer this year. Fortunately, 96 percent of women who find and treat breast cancer early will be cancer-free after five years. A breast exam by a doctor should also be part of a periodic health exam every year for women 40 and above.

HVRA’s digital mammography program is approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

Housatonic Valley Radiological Associates is an independent diagnostic imaging practice celebrating its 30th year in the Danbury region. HVRA offers high field MRI, multi-slice CT scanning, digital mammography, X-ray, digital fluoroscopy, ultrasound, outpatient biopsies, as well as bone densitometry, vascular lab, and echocardiography in a comfortable, private setting.

HVRA’s main office is in Danbury with satellite offices on Kent Road in New Milford, Grove Street in Ridgefield, and Main Street in Southbury. To learn more, visit www.HVradiology.net or call HVRA’s main office at 67 Sand Pit Road at 797-1770.