NLH Going Pink

NLH Going Pink

GLOVERSVILLE, NY – This October, Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home is focused on increasing awareness for breast cancer prevention. According to Breastcancer.org, breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women. Roughly one in eight women born in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lives. Studies have also shown that women with dense breasts are more likely to have or develop cancer. However, most women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Littauer is creating a marketing campaign to move beyond mammogram education and to include conversation about breast density.

“With the recent installation of Invenia ABUS 2.0™ at Littauer, it is much easier to detect breast cancer in addition with a regular mammogram,” says Dwayne Eberle, Director of Diagnostic Imaging. “The ABUS 2.0™ has improved breast cancer detection by an estimated 36 percent. I am thrilled that we can now offer ABUS, a leading edge technology, to women with dense breasts. This simple 15 minute procedure will save lives in our community.”

“ABUS Ultrasound for dense breasts is our newest example of supporting our patients,” says Priscilla. “With the capability to further test women with dense breasts for abnormalities which can hide in regular Mammography, this can and will save lives. Everyone who has their mammogram with Littauer will receive a special gift from our Diagnostic Imaging department, too. We want to show women that we are here for them and let them know that having their mammograms is vitally important.”

“Some organizations and hospitals display pink ribbons for Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” says Cheryl McGrattan, Vice President of Marketing and Communications with Littauer. “We build whole new centers and bring in the best technology to prevent breast cancer. For us at Littauer, we think pink all year long.”

Talk to your doctor about breast density, especially if you have a history of breast or ovarian cancer. Your doctor can provide more information about mammograms. For more information about the new Invenia ABUS 2.0, please call Priscilla Person, Littauer’s Diagnostic Imaging Office Coordinator, at: (518) 773-5215 or visit: https://www.gehealthcare.com/products/ultrasound/abus-breast-imaging/invenia-abus

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About Nathan Littauer

Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.

Littauer is designated an ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center

New lung cancer screening at Littauer can save lives

– Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center designation is a voluntary program that recognizes facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.

“It has been scientifically proven that early detection saves lives,” states Littauer’s Chief of Radiology, Dr. John Mastrangelo. “This low-dose lung screening has so much potential, and is a life-saving technology we are using here at Littauer.”

According to Dr. Mastrangelo, the benefits of the low-dose chest CT allows for earlier detection identifying questionable sites that are overlooked by x-rays. Earlier detection allows for better treatment options and a better chance of survival.

“It’s good to know we have an exceptionally skilled staff here at Littauer and we work well together as a team,” continues Dr. Mastrangelo. “Low-dose chest CT’s are saving lives on a daily basis and the scan takes about ten seconds.”

No one understands this better than Priscilla Person, Littauer’s diagnostic imaging office coordinator, who lost two close family members to lung cancer. Person has been a proponent of the low-dose lung screening and instrumental in advocating for this service, bringing its importance to the forefront at Littauer.

“They were exhibiting no symptoms,” said Person. “By the time they were screened, it was too late and they only survived for weeks after their diagnosis.”

In order to receive this elite distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in computed tomography in the chest module, as well as undergo a rigorous assessment of its lung cancer screening protocol and infrastructure. Also required are procedures in place for follow-up patient care, such as counseling and smoking cessation programs.

Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths. In December 2013, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended screening of adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer – taking the lives of more people each year than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.

The ACR, founded in 1924, is one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States. The ACR devotes its resources to making imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Its 36,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.

For more information about the Lung Cancer Screening Center designation, visit: acr.org/Quality-Safety/Lung-Cancer-Screening-Center. To find out if you’re a candidate for low-dose lung cancer screening, call Littauer Diagnostic Imaging at (518) 773-5520.

Priscilla Person, left, Littauer’s diagnostic imaging office coordinator and Donna Boswell, Littauer Senior CT Tech

Priscilla Person, left, Littauer’s diagnostic imaging office coordinator and Donna Boswell, Littauer Senior CT Tech