Calling all women: Can you spare 30 minutes? That's all it takes to have a digital mammogram at Southwest Outpatient Imaging Center or at Inland Valley Medical Center. Both facilities are staffed by licensed mammography technologists, and board-certified radiologists evaluate the images.

Digital mammography produces faster results than traditional (analog) mammography, because there's no waiting for film to develop; the images are fully generated while the exam is conducted.

"The actual exam time is about five minutes," says Sandra Jackson, Director of Imaging at Southwest Healthcare System (SWHCS). "If everything is normal, patients can be in and out of the door in about 30 minutes."

Better Accuracy, Faster Results
A recent study of 42,000 women showed that those younger than age 50 who had dense breast tissue and were pre- or peri-menopausal obtained more accurate results with digital mammograms. "The image quality is better, and we can manipulate the images to magnify or increase the contrast in certain areas to help detect tiny abnormalities, which might be especially hard to find in dense breast tissue," explains David Scafidi, M.D., a radiologist on the medical staff at SWHCS.

The digital mammography system also has a computer-aided detection (CAD) feature that automatically outlines areas of concern to help radiologists evaluate images more efficiently and with greater precision. In addition, for consultations and second opinions, radiologists can electronically transfer images to colleagues as well as to the patient's primary care physician.

"We always work to get patients their results as quickly as possible," Ms. Jackson says. "Patients who have routine screening mammograms will receive a letter detailing their results within three days. If the radiologist sees something that requires further evaluation, he or she will notify the patient's physician on the day of the exam."

There's no excuse for not having this screening! Talk to your doctor today and schedule your mammogram.

Screening Recommendations
The National Breast Cancer Foundation recommends the following detection and prevention plan:

• Clinical breast examinations every three years from ages 20-39, then every year thereafter.
• Monthly breast self-examinations beginning at age 20.
• Baseline mammogram by age 40.
• Mammogram every one to two years for women ages 4 0-49, depending on previous findings.
• Mammogram every year for women age 50 and older.

To set up your annual mammogram, please call Direct Doctors^SM Plus at 1-800-879-1020.

Inland Valley Medical Center 36485 Inland Valley Drive, Wildomar, CA 92595 (951) 677-1111 Rancho Springs Medical Center 25500 Medical Center Drive, Murrieta, CA 92562 (951) 696-6000