On Wednesday, April 16, Sutter Delta Medical Center (SDMC) welcomed its first digital mammography patient. While the initial reaction when patients first hear the term digital mammography' is hardly shock or surprise, says SDMC CEO Gary Rapaport, it is important to remember that the benefits of digital mammography units over traditional film-based units are impressive, and now this high-tech service is close to home for those who live in East Contra Costa County.

In a 2001-05 study orchestrated by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network, researchers found that in some women, certain types of cancer were detected by digital mammography before they were detectable by film. The study also showed that the group of women most likely to benefit from the new technology included those under the age of 50, women with dense breasts, and pre- or perimenopausal women.

Here at Sutter Delta Medical Center, we are committed to expanding our services with the growing needs of our community, says Rapaport. Adding digital mammography as a service will cut down on wait time, as digital mammography allows you to get results quicker. Local availability means you no longer have to sit in Highway 4 traffic to receive this service that is now close to home.

Although some of the benefits of digital mammography affect all patients equally, for women with dense breasts, women under the age of 50, and women who are pre- or perimenopausal, the benefits are so great that they should definitely speak with their physician about being examined at a facility where this new technology is available.

For more information, contact Angela Lombardi at 925-384-4217 or e-mail lombaa2@sutterhealth.org.