Turn to Southcoast for all your breast health needs.
NEW Southcoast is now 100 percent digital mammography!
Southcoast has created the region's most comprehensive network of breast health services — including 100 percent digital mammography at all nine service locations — that bring women the very latest in technology and equipment along with the comfort and reassurance of caring staff available right in your own community.
No matter where women live in the region, top-notch breast health services are available nearby.
This care includes just about any service you can find in a large medical center in Boston — including digital mammography, ultrasound, biopsies and complete evaluations — which can often all be scheduled in one convenient visit.
A Major Investment in Women's Health
Southcoast has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in upgrading all mammography equipment to incorporate the latest technology in breast imaging — 100 percent digital mammography. This technology is used at every one of our mammography sites, located from Fall River to Wareham.
This means images are as clear and detailed as possible, helping physicians better pinpoint and treat any potential problems.
Unlike other parts of the body, the breast is composed mainly of soft tissue. When breast tissue is X-rayed, it creates an image that looks something like a smoky haze, making it difficult to see tiny "spots," called microcalcifications, and other subtle signs of early cancer.
Digital is Better
With digital mammography, the radiologist reviews electronic images of the breast using special high-resolution monitors. The physician can adjust the brightness, change contrast and zoom in for close ups of specific areas of interest.
Being able to manipulate images is one of the main benefits of digital technology. Another convenience of digital mammography over film-based systems is it can greatly reduce the need for retakes due to over or under exposure, reducing your exposure to X-rays.
Digital mammography feels identical to conventional screening from a patient's perspective, though women may notice shorter exam times and a reduction in call-backs to obtain additional images.
A Built-In Second Look
Like their conventional units, digital mammography units at Southcoast have Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) technology built right in. Digital CAD highlights characteristics commonly associated with breast cancer. When activated, it flags abnormalities to help the radiologist detect early breast cancer. CAD is, in essence, a second set of eyes to support and enhance the radiologist's judgment.
Each year, Southcoast staff perform and evaluate over 40,000 mammograms, giving them an expertise that is unmatched by most community hospitals.
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