Physicians and clinicians today are using an arsenal of integrated diagnostics that have revolutionized the management of breast cancer in the past years. “I think probably everyone would agree that improved screenings have saved lives,” says John F. Nelson, MD, Medical Director of Battlefield Auxiliary Breast Center in Ringgold, Georgia, USA, and a panelist in a recent Siemens discussion. Yearly, 1.3 million women worldwide face the shocking diagnosis of breast cancer and need to start a determined battle to conquer a disease that affects not only them, but their families and loved ones as well. Hopefully, they can rely on a physician who is just as determined, and on state-of-the-art equipment located in a comprehensive women’s health center.

Integrated diagnostics have tangible benefits, including improved workflow and patient convenience. Gladys Lo, MD, Chief Radiologist at Hong Kong Sanatorium, emphasizes how new approaches have positive emotional ramifications. “For patients who all of the sudden find out they have some abnormality, they would like to find out the exact extent of what it is right away. If you send them to all different types of places and they have to wait, that’s tremendously stressful on them.”

Huge strides have been made in the last two decades to digital mammography, ultrasound, and MRI and even newer modalities, such as 3-D tomosynthesis¹. Integrating laboratory diagnostics, advanced imaging, and information technologies can improve a patient’s outcome. In addition, integration affects workflow. “Today, breast cancer diagnosis is much faster and more precise than before,” says Karsten Ridder, MD, of St. Josefs-Hospital, Dortmund, Germany.
In order to manage the journey of detecting, coping with, and beating breast cancer, women today should know not only about early detection and treatment, but specifically on what to look for in hospital imaging equipment and how the level of technology may make a difference in a person’s life. All scanners are not created equally.

¹Caution: Investigational Device. Limited by U.S. Federal Law to investigational use. The information about Digital Breast Tomosynthesis is preliminary. This product is under development and not commercially available in the U.S., and its future availability cannot be assured.