SF_SJRA_Profile_0121_Profile 2 / 1 / 21 1 : 29 PM Page 1 profile by LIZ HUNTER The Picture was once a death sentence but that’s not the case if caught early , ” he says , adding the scan takes a of Health mere 15 minutes and requires no prep , no injec - tion , no IV . SJRA combines expertise and state - of - the - art Candidates for the procedure are between technology to provide patients with the most the ages of 55 and 74 with a 30 - pack year smoking history ( if you have smoked a pack a day for comprehensive radiology services in the region . the last 30 years , or two packs a day for the last 15 years ) , and include those who are current smokers or have quit within the last 15 years . cancer , the better treatment outcomes may be . A CERTAIN POINT IN OUR LIVES , “ Those are the people who will benefit most from Advances in technology have also reduced the ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS WITH A this screening exam , and insurance covers it , amount of radiation in these scans , helping to RADIOLOGIST MAY BECOME NEC - At meaning there is no out - of - pocket cost , ” Dr . put patients ’ minds ESSARY . A variety of exams — X - ray , MRI ( medical at ease . Muhr continues . resonance imaging ) , CT ( computed tomog - Dr . Muhr says CT scans allow radiologists to As someone whose own mother is a survivor raphy ) , PET ( positron emission tomography ) see smaller things with greater resolution . “ A CT of lung cancer and who lost two grandparents to and ultrasounds — give a clear picture of what is scan is widely available , quick and easy as com - the disease , Dr . Muhr hopes people heed this happening inside a patient’s body , and — for pared to an MRI . Although an MRI is more information and seek the screening that could those who are at risk for particular diseases — focused , a CT gives a broad overview and helps save their lives . may even prove to be life - saving . When deciding answer the question or points us to the next test One in eight women are at risk of being diag - where to go for such a crucial exam , in this region needed , ” he says . nosed with breast cancer in their lifetime , but there is one provider that stands above the rest : Lung cancer is a common disease world - annual mammograms have proven successful , South Jersey Radiology ( SJRA ) . wide , and a majority of those who have the dis - reducing the death rate by more than 30 percent William F . Muhr Jr . , M.D . , D.A.B.R . , SJRA ease have a relationship to smoking . However , since screenings were implemented in 1990 , president and CEO , says the organization’s his - people may not realize that lung cancer , when according to the Society of Breast Imaging . tory in the community — which dates back to caught in stage 1 or often stage 2 , is curable . Screening now begins annually at age 40 , as rec - 1938 — means that patients can rest assured they “ Much like we’ve done with mammography , we ommended by most major health organizations , are getting the correct scan on the correct equip - spent time researching and ensured we would including the American Cancer Society and the ment . “ We pride ourselves on the latest and not be doing more harm than good with low - American College of Radiology . greatest optimized dose chest scans to search for small pulmonary equipment and keeping it “ The earlier you start , the better your chances nodules that state of the art , ” he says . might be signs of early cancer , ” Dr . of treating early stage cancer , ” says Dr . Piccoli . The only diagnostic imaging center in the Muhr says . “ Results help make a determination Mammography has come a long way , from region to be awarded the Diagnostic Imaging to follow up or recommend a biopsy or surgical film to digital . With the advancement of 3D mam - Center of Excellence by the American College of removal . ” mography , which is now the standard for mam - Radiology , SJRA has 11 convenient locations with Although this scan exists and has a great mograms , radiologists can see through layers of more than 45 talented and experienced radiolo - impact on patients ’ outcomes , Dr . Muhr says it tissue . “ This helps us find cancers that would gists on staff , all of whom are leading specialists has not been as widely accepted as mammo - otherwise be obscured by surrounding tissues , ” whether interpreting standard X - rays or the most grams for breast cancer . “ There has been some says Dr . Piccoli . “ Tomography has increased the complex procedures , including preventative reticence in people to come forward . Lung cancer cancer detection rate and decreased the number scans , such as CT lung screening and 3D mam - of false positives as well . ” mography . And the technology continues to advance , Dr . Muhr and his colleague , Catherine W . she adds . SJRA recently updated its mammog - Piccoli , M.D . , D.A.B.R . , F.A.C.R . , co - director of raphy units with equipment that can create a syn - women’s imaging at SJRA , say the sooner people thesized 2D image from the 3D scan . “ This are screened for risks like lung cancer and breast reduces the amount of radiation for patients with it being just one scan , and it gives us an overview and helps us see groups of calcifications . If you were to only look at a 3D image , calcifications can be lost or appear faint , ” says Dr . Piccoli . “ This advancement means we can enhance certain fea - tures in the breast , and spiculated masses may stand out more . ” The procedure is no different than previous mammogram technology , with the breast under compression for just a few seconds more , she says . “ SJRA has always been proactive in the next TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT , advanced method of imaging . I think this tech - SJRA.com OR VISIT nology has been a great boon to mammography ( 8 ) TODAY . 88 909 - SJRA CALL readers . Abnormalities stand out giving us a better chance of finding early cancers . ” ? SUBURBANFAMILYMAG.COM volume 11 issue 10 SUBURBAN FAMILY 21