 Because breast cancer is more likely to be cured when caught early, screening for the disease is crucial. Annual screening mammograms are an important part of early detection. The R2 Image Checker is computer assisted detection equipment that helps radiologists detect cancer at the earliest, most treatable stage. Radiologist Dr. Tommy Cupples screens dozens of mammograms every day. He says the Image Checker acts much like a computer spell-check program. ‘Its very good at picking up things that are oversights, that could have been diagnosed but weren't,” Cupples says. After carefully examining the mammogram, doctors then feed the X-ray into the Image Checker, a computer that scans the X-ray looking for anything abnormal. Dr. Cupples explains, “The R2 is like a second radiologist reading the films or like a medical student looking over your shoulder saying, ‘Did you look at that?’” But Dr. Cupples says its less expensive than a second radiologist and may be more effective. Studies have shown that the Image Checker finds 10-15 percent more cancers per year over manually read mammograms. Mammograms can help physicians detect breast lumps that may be missed with a physical exam. Studies show that when examined for breast cancer using mammography in addition to physical exams, more cancers are detected at very early stages, when they are most curable. All women should have a “baseline” mammogram between age 35 and 40. This gives the radiologist a basis for comparison for future mammograms and makes it easier to pinpoint any changes in the breast. Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram once a year. So that services are convenient for patients, the South Carolina Comprehensive Breast Center offers breast imaging procedures in multiple Midlands locations. These include two main centers on the campuses of Palmetto Health Baptist and Palmetto Health Richland, and screening sites in outlying areas.
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