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CASE FOR SUPPORT – 3D TOMO
CASE FOR BREAST CANCER One in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. While advances in treatment have improved survival rates, one of the keys to that success is early detection. Women whose breast cancer is detected at an early stage have a 93 percent or more survival rate in the first five years. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports that approximately 20% of cancers are missed at 2D mammography screenings. Enhancing diagnosis, care and treatment starts with stateof-the-art technology. The new gold standard for early detection is 3D tomosynthesis, which allows radiologists to see through layers of tissue to detect small cancers, multiple tumors, or invasive breast cancer. Standard mammograms take one fixed picture of compressed breast tissue from the top, and one picture from the side. In 3D tomosynthesis, the x-ray tube moves in an arc around the breast that has been secured and takes images that are sent to a computer to be assembled into a highly-focused, three-dimensional view. The process takes a few seconds longer than 2D. The new technology effectively arranges the images of the breast into readable segments that allow a radiologist to see underlying structures more easily. Approximately two-thirds of women under 50, and 25% of women over 50 have dense breast tissue (more fibrous) that looks white on the image, making small and invasive tumors harder to detect using conventional mammography. For any woman who has received the “results inconclusive, more tests necessary� call or letter, the benefits of 3D high-resolution imaging can include less follow-up imaging and reduced anxiety.
3D TOMO
DETECTION
Preliminary results on 3D tomosynthesis have demonstrated that call-backs for further tests or imaging are down by as much as 15%. Additionally, there has been a 29% increase in overall breast cancer detection over 2D imaging. Detection at earlier stages of the disease saves lives.
COST
Medicare began covering 3D tomosynthesis in 2015. Many other insurers will not cover the cost of 3D tomosynthesis at this time, but women can choose a co-pay of $30 - $75 to have 3D rather than 2D images made.
ENVIRONMENT
Mission Health System hospitals offer imaging suites that have warm and inviting environments, registered mammographers, and highly specialized radiologists to interpret the images. Together these professionals meet national standards for service to the community. The equipment that they use needs to be equally high quality. 3D tomosynthesis is an evolution in care that will benefit the community.
HOW YOU CAN HELP The cost to fund this case for support is $450,000. The new 3D tomosynthesis mammography technology is a leap forward in patient care for each of these communities. Early detection of breast cancer partnered with hightechnology imaging systems will provide women in our region with an even higher chance of survival in the fight against breast cancer. The availability of this technology in these communities is a valued convenience for area women who want to keep their day-to-day health care local.
WAYS TO GIVE Fulfillment Options: Please indicate your preferred method of fulfillment ☐ Check Please make your check(s) payable to: Mission Health System Foundation. Checks may be mailed to the address at the bottom of this pledge form or collected by your gift officer.
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Please route your browser to: www.missionphilanthropy.org/donate
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☐ MHS Payroll Deduction By choosing this fulfillment option, I hereby authorize the Payroll Department to deduct from my pay the amount listed in the ‘Gift’ section of this form. By signing this document, I acknowledge that this is a non-refundable payroll deduction. I may choose to cancel this deduction at any time in favor of another fulfillment option.
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Contact Information Mission Health System Foundation 890 Hendersonville Road, Suite 300 Asheville, North Carolina 28803-1739
828.213.1024 (p) 828.213.1030 (f) Leah.Jones-Marcus@msj.org