Jefferson Radiology Becomes First Diagnostic Imaging Group in Connecticut to Add Automated Ultrasound Capability for Screening Women with Dense Breast Tissue

FARMINGTON, Conn., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Jefferson Radiology (East Hartford, CT) and U-Systems (Silicon Valley, CA) announced today that the state's largest diagnostic imaging group has become the first in Connecticut to add the state-of-the-industry somo-v™, Insight Class Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS) for dense breast tissue screening.

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An education awareness event, held today at Jefferson Radiology's Farmington, CT office, brought local breast cancer survivors, physicians, medical thought leaders and media together to raise awareness regarding the benefits of additional screening tools for women with higher breast density.

Nancy M. Cappello Ph.D.; local breast cancer survivor, Watertown, CT native and President of Are you Dense? – A national organization dedicated to informing the public about dense breast tissue and its significance in the early detection of breast cancer –served as keynote speaker of the evening. Dr. Cappello shared her story and educated participants and guests on the benefits of the latest form of breast ultrasound capability.

Jefferson Radiology's Director of Breast Imaging, Jinnah A. Phillips, MD, announced the company's addition of ABUS and shared statistics behind the diagnostic use of ABUS as an adjunct to mammography in the detection of breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue.

"As concerns regarding breast cancer detection, prevention and treatment continue to rise, the forward progress of this technology, and the communication surrounding breast density and options for screening women with dense breast tissue, has created a long over-due opportunity for patients and physicians in our state to feel comfortable with breast ultrasound screening by leaving them satisfied and reassured by the results they receive," Dr. Phillips said.

"Stories such as the one Dr. Cappello shared this evening are a personal testament to the importance of the inclusion of breast ultrasound screening within our state's healthcare system."

State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. was responsible for leading the charge on recently-amended legislation regarding the communication of mammographic breast density information to patients in the state of Connecticut. The act (Public Act No. 09-41) states that on and after October 1, 2009, each mammography report provided to a patient shall include information about breast density, based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology.

According to the reformed legislation, if patients are notified their breast tissue is dense, they will also be informed that they could benefit from supplementary screening tests such as ultrasound.

"In recent years my committee led Connecticut to the forefront of breast cancer awareness and early detection to the benefit of not just the women who are affected, but all their loved ones besides," Senator Crisco said. "Yet with all our success we keep learning what more we can do to help prevent, diagnose, and treat the disease. For instance, we've learned that for some women, conventional mammograms don't reveal the entire story, so those women need this additional information and insurance coverage for additional screening."

Also on hand to highlight the benefits of the legislation, as well as the importance ABUS serves to the state's healthcare community, was Susan G. Komen Executive Director (CT), Anne Morris.

About Jefferson Radiology:

Jefferson Radiology offers the full spectrum of diagnostic imaging and interventional services to patients. As leaders in diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology, our specialized physicians and highly-trained staff are committed to providing exceptional patient care. Jefferson Radiology received the Joint Commission's gold seal, the highest level of accreditation available for quality and the first private radiology practice in the greater Hartford area to receive it. The same level of quality care is available at all nine locations staffed by Jefferson Radiology experts, as well as the five area hospital partners we serve. Jefferson also has two Women's Imaging Centers that are dedicated to meeting the unique imaging needs of our female patients. Here women have access to a place created specifically for them where they can receive highly specialized care.

For more information, visit www.jeffersonradiology.com.

About somo-v™

The somo-v INSIGHT Class LHD14-6 high frequency 14 MHz automated ultra broadband transducer delivers an industry leading 3D volume view of 15cm x 17cm x 5.0cm. The high center-frequency significantly sharpens detail resolution while the ultra broadband performance simultaneously delivers distinct contrast differentiation, resulting in precise anatomical detail of complex breast tissues and structures. The Benefit: Superior image quality provides greater diagnostic confidence.

About U-Systems

As the leader in automated breast ultrasound technology, U-Systems is establishing the standard for breast ultrasound screening by sponsoring the SOMO-INSIGHT Clinical Study, the largest clinical study ever conducted by an ultrasound company. For more information about the SOMO-INSIGHT Clinical Study, please visit our website at http://www.somoinsightstudy.org.

The U-Systems' somo-v Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) system and somo-viewer Advanced 3D Workstation are cleared under 510(k) for diagnostic use as an adjunct to mammography.  For more information about U-Systems, please visit our website at http://www.u-systems.com.

SOURCE Jefferson Radiology