Allegheny Health Network: Bringing innovative and expert care to your community
Allegheny Health Network makes advanced breast cancer
detection available throughout the region
One of the most advanced technologies for detecting breast
cancer at its earliest, most curable stages, is now available across
the western Pennsylvania region. Allegheny Health Network
(AHN) is now providing breast tomosynthesis at six AHN Breast
Center locations.
While traditional mammography
captures a single image of the breast,
tomosynthesis, also known as 3-D
mammography, takes multiple
images in “slices” that allow doctors
to see internal breast tissue in sharp
detail, minimizing false-positive
and false-negative readings. Breast
tomosynthesis can be particularly
helpful for women who have dense
breast tissue, or women who are at high
risk of developing breast cancer.
Acquisition of the new technology was made possible in
part by generous donations from Pittsburgh-based Glimmer
of Hope. This local breast cancer advocacy group has given
more than $250,000 to AHN over the past two years, helping
provide women across the region with better access to the most
advanced breast imaging technology available.
“Our goal at Allegheny Health Network
is to ensure that all women have
access to 3-D mammography, the best
screening available for early detection
of breast cancer,” said William Poller,
MD, FACR, Director of Breast Imaging
at AHN.
In total, six AHN Breast Center locations throughout the
city and suburbs currently offer convenient access to breast
tomosynthesis, including Allegheny General Hospital (AGH),
Forbes Hospital, West Penn Hospital, Wexford Health + Wellness
Pavilion, Bethel Park Health + Wellness Pavilion and the West Side
Health + Wellness Pavilion in Erie. Breast tomosynthesis will be
available at Canonsburg Hospital by December 2016.
“Breast tomosynthesis marks a significant step forward in helping
our clinicians detect breast cancer,” said David Parda, MD, Chair,
AHN Cancer Institute. “At Allegheny Health Network, we provide
our patients with the most effective ways to battle cancer from
every possible angle, with innovative procedures, medicines and
technology.”
In October 2015, Pennsylvania began requiring all insurers to
cover the cost of 3-D mammography, making the technology
more readily available to women. 3-D mammography is used in
addition to traditional mammography, and uses an amount of
radiation well below federal guidelines.
Additional mammogram locations within AHN include AGH
McCandless, Allegheny Valley Hospital (AVH) Outpatient Services
in New Kensington, AVH Radiological Imaging in Natrona
Heights, Allegheny Imaging in Robinson Township, Brentwood
Professional Plaza, Canonsburg Hospital Outpatient Services,
Jefferson Diagnostics at the Waterfront, Jefferson Medical
Arts Building, Premier Medical Associates in Monroeville, Saint
Vincent Outpatient Center at Union City, Saint Vincent Women’s
Center, South Hills Medical Building at Jefferson Hospital.
Allegheny Health Network provides breast cancer patients with
multidisciplinary, personalized care close to home, along with the
services of a 24/7 Care Navigator who remains by the patient’s
side throughout her entire journey.
For more information about how to schedule a breast
tomosynthesis appointment at AHN, call 412.DOCTORS
(362.8677) or visit AHN.org.