Breast imaging at the UC Davis Health Rocklin Clinic, in the Placer Center for Health, is bringing the latest technology to western Placer County. The new Senographe Pristina mammography system made by GE HealthCare generates 2D and 3D contrast-enhanced imagery.
“We are excited to bring this technology to our patients at Placer Center for Health in the next few months and at a number of our screening centers soon after,” said Shadi Aminololama-Shakeri, chief of the Division of Breast Radiology. “While same-day interpretation and workup of recalls from screening exams are challenging to accommodate, at UC Davis Health we are working on streamlining this process by using contrast-enhanced mammography.”
The new mammography technology helps to determine initial findings quickly, enabling women to stay on schedule with their breast imaging more easily.
Larisa Bisic, manager for imaging services at UC Davis Health clinics, said the contrast-enhanced mammography unit will be offered to women at higher risk of breast cancer. That includes women with dense breasts who radiologists determine need to have more advanced diagnostic screening.
“Similar to an MRI, we will use contrast dye administered through IV [intravenous drip] in the arm during the screening,” said Bisic. “Unlike an MRI, though, the person being screened will be sitting rather than lying down in a tube. The rest of the screening will be conducted similar to a traditional mammogram.”
With the dye contrast, the new imaging technology will help breast radiologists spot abnormalities that may need follow-up procedures such as an ultrasound, MRI, or a biopsy.
State-of-the-art cancer care offered at Rocklin clinic
Placer County is one of the fastest-growing areas of California. The California Department of Finance estimates that the population of the county will grow 25% between 2020 and 2060.
Joseph Avery, manager of the Rocklin clinic, said the dramatic population growth in Placer County means that UC Davis Health must keep up with the community’s growing need for health care in the region.
“We continue to increase our cancer care services at the Rocklin clinic,” Avery said.
Several full-time oncologists are assigned to the Rocklin clinic, which encompasses a 10-bed chemotherapy infusion center along with dedicated clinical space for cancer care.
“We are bringing our NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center to the people of Placer County, providing the convenience of top cancer care close to home,” Avery added.
