For Immediate Release
April 18, 2002
Contact: Maria E. Ramos
(219) 865-2141, ext. 45321
Maria.Ramos@ssfhs.org

Hammond, Ind.— Early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer. Saint Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers recently installed the new ImageChecker® Computer Aided Detection (CAD) system for use in breast cancer screening. The system assists radiologists in minimizing false negative readings during mammograms.

"Mammography screenings with the benefit of the ImageChecker CAD system could prevent thousands of breast cancer deaths each year in the United States alone," said Dr. Kannan Kandallu, board-certified radiologist at Saint Margaret Mercy’s North Campus in Hammond. "Regular screening mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early, which is also when it is easiest to treat.

"Now that we have the new CAD ImageChecker system here at Saint Margaret Mercy, we will be able to confidently identify abnormalities or signs of disease on a regular basis during our mammogram screening analyses and significantly increase our detection rate of invasive cancers."

The ImageChecker from R2 Technology is the first US Food and Drug Administration approved CAD system for use in breast cancer screening. Studies show use of the ImageChecker could result in earlier detection of up to 23.4 percent of the cancers currently detected with screening mammography, in those women who had a screening mammogram nine to 24 months earlier.

The system’s software analyzes the image from the mammogram and draws the radiologist’s attention to suspicious features that may be indicative of cancer.

"The radiologist typically reviews the entire mammogram first and then activates the ImageChecker monitor to see if any areas have been highlighted for additional review," Dr. Kandallu said. "It’s as though you have a second set of eyes."

If an image is marked, the radiologist goes back to the original mammogram to review this area of the image in more detail.

"Our dedication to winning the fight against breast disease and the benefits of screening mammography is further enhanced by the use of the ImageChecker," said Gene Diamond, president and CEO of Saint Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers. "This new CAD system will allow us to provide our patients all the benefits of early detection and improve overall management and treatment."

To schedule a mammogram at Saint Margaret Mercy’s North Campus in Hammond, where the R2 ImageChecker is now available, call Central Scheduling, at (219) 933-2635, or from Illinois at (708) 891-9305, ext. 32635.