DXA
Scan
YRMC
BreastCare
Center
DXA
No Tax Dollars
Scan
Used : Yavapai
YRMC
Regional Medical
BreastCare
Center is a full-service
Center
, not-fo
Helps Prevent Broken Bones
JoAnn spends every weekend she can hiking . She ’ s trekked the Grand Canyon five times and explored hiking trails throughout Arizona . That ’ s why she was surprised when a bone density scan revealed she had osteoporosis , a condition that causes bone loss and can lead to fractures .
“ I was running , hiking , walking and eating high-calcium foods and I still had bone loss ,” she said .
JoAnn is among 54 million Americans who have osteoporosis and low bone mass , according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation ( NOF ). To help Yavapai County residents , the BreastCare Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center ( YRMC ) has introduced dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry ( DXA ). This simple , painless exam measures bone density .
“ DXA provides information so a woman and her physician can take steps to prevent fractures ,” said Mary Sterling , Director , Imaging Services at YRMC . “ It ’ s similar to a mammogram in that the radiation dose is very minimal and the information is extremely important .”
During a DXA exam at YRMC ’ s BreastCare Center , the patient lies flat on a comfortable , padded table . An x-ray generator is located below the patient and an imaging device , or detector , is positioned above . The detector passes over the patient , generating images on a computer monitor . The exam lasts approximately 10 minutes . The radiologist interprets the exam and then shares the results with the patient ’ s doctor .
“ We ’ re encouraging women to schedule their mammogram and DXA on the same day ,” said Sterling . “ It ’ s convenient and a good way to ensure you ’ re undergoing both of these important exams .”
This also allows women to undergo DXA in the spa-like , comforting atmosphere of the YRMC BreastCare Center . Additionally , women are often cared for by the same radiologic technologist during both exams .
While it ’ s most often associated with women , men also should be aware of the dangers of bone loss and osteoporosis . In fact , according to NOF , a man age 50 or older is more likely to suffer a broken bone due to osteoporosis than he is to get prostate cancer .
What puts people at risk for osteoporosis ?
Uncontrollable risk factors include :
• Being over age 50 and female
• Menopause , particularly early-onset menopause
• A family history of osteoporosis
• Being small and thin
• Broken bones or height loss
8 May 2016 pccnews