WAIMEA Lani Taeza, the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Kauai Regional Imaging Supervisor, said Wednesday that breast tomosynthesis is the most advanced Federal Drug Administration-approved technology that takes multiple 2D images to recreate a 3-dimensional picture of a breast.
WAIMEA — Lani Taeza, the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation Kaua‘i Regional Imaging Supervisor, said Wednesday that breast tomosynthesis is the most advanced Federal Drug Administration-approved technology that takes multiple 2D images to recreate a 3-dimensional picture of a breast.
“The addition of breast tomosynthesis to the Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital imaging program will provide a more efficient means of detecting breast cancer to better serve our community,” Taeza said.
“Early detection is the key. The mammography machine can detect most cancers in women without symptoms, and reduces the number of additional tests when an abnormality is seen,” she said.
The mammography technology comes with a $650,000 pricetag, and KVMH got a big boost towards acquiring the mammography technology with a $24,000 contribution from the KVMH Charitable Foundation.
The contribution included proceeds generated from the foundation’s earlier 14th annual Golf Tournament that was contested on Nov. 24 at the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course and spearheaded by Steve Kline, foundation president.
“This benefits people on the Westside tremendously,” said Lance Segawa, HHSC Kaua‘i Region CEO. “There is a 3D machine on Kaua‘i, but having it here at KVMH will save people trips into town.”
KVMH is a 25-bed critical access hospital with a 20-bed skilled nursing facility in Waimea, employing approximately 280 people. It has grown to include primary-care clinics and an urgent-care clinic, with clinics in Waimea, Port Allen, Kalaheo, Po‘ipu and Kapa‘a, and urgent care in Po‘ipu.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
