State-of-the Art Mammography Coming to Southampton Hospital

Southampton Hospital's breast cancer screening is taking a leap forward thanks to a minimum commitment of $220,000 from the Ellen Hermanson Foundation.

The foundation, which backs the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at the hospital, is underwriting the purchase of a tomosynthesis 3D mammography system, which the hospital describes as "state-of-the-art," transcending the capabilities of traditional digital mammography.

“We are happy to continue to support Southampton Hospital because it is our belief that medical care is not a luxury and that people should have access to quality care close to home," said Julie Ratner, of East Hampton, the chairwoman of the foundation and sister of the late Ellen Hermanson.

According to a hospital statement, "Digital tomosynthesis of the breast is to standard mammography as a CT scan of the chest is to a standard chest x-ray." The new system will be used in addition to routine digital mammography, rather than as a replacement.

“The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center has been an invaluable resource for women and families, offering a comprehensive array of services, from routine screening mammograms and sonograms to minimally invasive stereotactic and core biopsies," Southampton Hospital President Robert Chaloner is quoted as saying in a hospital statement. "From the beginning, the Ellen Hermanson Foundation has generously supported the growth and exceptional quality of our program.  Southampton Hospital is most fortunate to have such a knowledgeable and caring partner in fighting breast cancer on Eastern Long Island.”

More from Southampton Hospital on tomosynthesis:

As the next generation of mammography, Tomosynthesis enables clinicians to identify and characterize individual breast structures with clarity and certainty never before possible.  Tomosynthesis minimizes detection challenges associated with overlapping structures in the breast.  The three-dimensional images reveal a clearer picture of the inner structure of the breast enabling radiologists to better identify lesions previously undetectable and free from shadowing which often occurs in traditional mammography. As a result, patients can avoid additional and sometimes unnecessary testing, and therefore less exposure to radiation.  Tomosynthesis allows for earlier detection of small breast cancers that may be hidden during 2D mammography and greater accuracy in pinpointing size, shape and location of abnormalities. In addition, there is greater likelihood of detecting multiple breast tumors, which occur in 15% of breast cancer patients.