Edited by: JV Staff
NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi recently announced that it has installed two new, state-of-the-art mammography imaging machines, the Hologic Affirm Prone 2D/3D stereotactic biopsy machine and the Hologic 2D/3D 3Dimensions Mammogram machine. These new machines visualize more tissue and pinpoint subtle lesions and faint calcifications that may not be visible with older technology. Greater precision not only allows for improved visibility of cancerous cells but also diminishes the number of patients recalled for screening mammograms due to “false positive” test results. As a result, the new equipment is expected to increase patient satisfaction, reduce waiting times, and enhance patient experience. Councilmember Mark Gjonaj contributed $400,000 and the Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr. contributed $249,582 to help fund the new equipment.
“Both our Breast Health Service and our Breast Imaging Service have earned national ‘Center of Excellence’ designation,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi Chief Executive Officer Christopher Mastromano. “This new state-of-the-art technology will only add to our efforts and allow our providers to treat more patients with faster and more detailed examinations.”
“We are proud to be using 3D mammography to serve our patients, as it has been shown to increase cancer detection and decrease the need for women to return for additional views. Both the new mammography machines and the stereotactic biopsy machine are state of the art, which allows us to serve our patients with faster examination times and the best equipment available.” said Jessica Rosenblum, MD, Director of Breast Imaging at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi.
“Breast cancer is one of the most common illnesses of the modern era and these machines will help our health care providers save countless lives,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Early detection is key in ensuring the best chances at survival for anyone affected by this disease and I’m proud to have contributed a quarter of a million dollars of capital funding towards such a vital medical instrument. Thank you to NYC Health + Hospitals for always providing our community with state of the art resources and health care.”
“Our thoughtful investment in state-of-the-art medical technology is paramount in taking care of every New Yorker and ensuring we get ahead of diseases that continue to rise in prevalence,” said Councilmember Mark Gjonaj. “I’m proud to say that because of our contributions, the new imaging machines at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi are expected to save lives through its faster, more detailed, and accurate examine capabilities.”
“Jacobi Health + Hospitals has done a tremendous job providing members of the Bronx community with quality healthcare services, and access to life-saving resources to screen for and treat breast cancer. The new state-of-the-art equipment will only further NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi’s performance, and provide patients with even better care and information about their health,” said State Senator Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx/Westchester).
“One in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Nearly 200,000 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year,” said Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez. “The addition of two state-of-the-art mammography imaging machines at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi will help provide a tremendous service in advancing women’s health in our community.”
According to the non-profit organization Breastcancer.org, approximately 1 in 69 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their forties. Women who are screened via modern mammograms are 30 to 40 percent more likely to survive. As per the American Cancer Society, while breast cancer in men makes up less than 1 percent of all cases in the U.S., those with a family history are recommended to get a clinical breast exam.
The NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi Breast Center offers the following services to its patients:
- Mammograms;
- Ultrasound and ultrasound guided biopsies;
- Stereotactic biopsies;
- MRIs and MRI-guided biopsies; and
- Walk in screenings for mammograms on weekdays from 11am to 6 pm.
Annually, NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi performs over 6,000 mammograms.
The city’s public health system urges women over 50 and men with a family history of breast cancer to schedule their clinical breast exam.
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi
NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi is a 457-bed teaching hospital affiliated with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The facility has earned numerous Center of Excellence designations, accreditation, and recognition for its renowned Level 1 Trauma Center, Burn Center, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, regional Stroke Center, Snakebite Treatment Center, Breast Health Center, Bariatric Surgery Center, and Cancer Service. The facility also offers the region’s only multi-person hyperbaric chamber, allowing up to nine patients to dive together at one time. Jacobi’s Ambulatory Care Pavilion is a stunning complement to its inpatient acute care, allowing staff to provide patients with high-quality service in a modern, state-of-the-art environment. For more information visit http://www.nyc.gov/hhc/jacobi/.
About NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx
NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx (NCB) is a member facility of the New York City Health + Hospitals system, one of eleven acute care facilities within the City of New York. A 215-bed community hospital, NCBH specializes in women’s and children’s services. It also provides Behavioral Health acute and ambulatory care. Its busy outpatient department has led the way in community-based care delivered in a compassionate and culturally-appropriate manner. It’s Labor and Delivery service safely brings more than 1,000 babies into the world each year. NCBH is committed to providing safe, high-quality medical care for any and all in need. For more information visit http://www.nyc.gov/hhc/ncbh/
ABOUT NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation. We are a network of 11 hospitals, trauma centers, neighborhood health centers, nursing homes, and post-acute care centers. We are a home care agency and a health plan, MetroPlus. Our health system provides essential services to 1.4 million New Yorkers every year in more than 70 locations across the city’s five boroughs. Our diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees are uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. Visit us at nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on facebook.com/nycHHC or Twitter @NYCHealthSystem.
