BRATTLEBORO — Brattleboro Memorial Hospital has received a grant from the Susan G. Komen Vermont-New Hampshire affiliate to support access to early detection and treatment programs for disabled patients.
With the Komen grant, BMH has purchased a specialized “mammochair” to enhance the patient experience and enable BMH technologists to maximize patient positioning and ensure better images for diagnosis.
The mammography chair is maneuverable, allowing the technologist to manipulate positions without constantly repositioning the patient.
The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer during her life is about one in eight, according to the American Cancer Society.
The addition of the mammochair in BMH's Comprehensive Breast Care Program will improve screening results and permit subsequent imaging treatments that previously were limited for patients who have disabilities or physical challenges.
The mammochair is available as a free service for patients, BMH said in a press statement.
From advanced diagnostics and screening tools to genetic testing and the latest surgical techniques, the BMH Comprehensive Breast Care Program provides a wide range of services locally that include surgery, medical oncology, chemotherapy, physical therapy, dietary counseling, and survivorship programs.
Its state-of-the-art imaging includes digital mammography, breast MRI, ultrasound, bone densitometry, CT scanning, and stereotactic biopsy.