New 3-D Technology Aids in Breast Cancer Fight

Long Island is a step closer to beating breast cancer.

The latest 3-D breast imaging technology assists in early detection and produces less false positives, which is a positive thing for women everywhere.

"I'm very excited about it," says Lorraine Pace, co-founder of Breast Cancer Help Inc. and West Islip resident. "Now I have something to tell my daughter about, I have something to tell everyone about."

It was Pace's organization that helped get the first digital mammogram system implemented on Long Island at Stony Brook University Medical Center.

"Digital mammograms are wonderful and we take credit for donating the first one," Pace said. "Our group will be sure to share the information on the new 3-D technology with women all over."

The new screening system takes 15 X-ray images of the breast from the different angles necessary to detect the cancer better than any imaging method available today.

West Islip's is preparing to launch the 3-D technology once its new women's imaging center opens on August 1st.

"It's appropriate Good Samaritan gets this technology," Pace said.

When Pace was first diagnosed in 1992 there was no breast cancer awareness facility in Suffolk County. "Good Samaritan was the first (breast cancer) site on Long Island and they deserve this screening system."

The new technology --which was approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration-- is currently being tested at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.  Pace and her organization can only hope this advanced screening makes its way through Long Island and beyond.

"Of course I'd like to see it implemented in other places," Pace said. "I think the 3-D imaging system will expand and go further than Long Island."

But until then Pace and Breast Cancer Help Inc. will put some of their faith in the press and media to get the word of the advances in breast cancer screening out to the public.

"Women need to be aware," says Pace. "Women need the media to keep talking about breast cancer so they can go for mammograms and go for screenings."