Breastlink of Temecula Valley Offers Automated Breast US Imaging

First medical center in Northern San Diego County and the Temecula Valley to offer New Breast Cancer Screening Technique

MURRIETA, Calif., July 1, 2013 – Breastlink of Temecula Valley, a facility operated by a wholly-owned subsidiary of RadNet, Inc., a network of outpatient imaging and comprehensive cancer treatment centers, announced it is the first medical center to offer automated whole breast ultrasound screening in Northern San Diego County and the Temecula Valley. Patients with an elevated risk of breast cancer, including women with dense breasts, will be able to benefit from one of the more advanced screening modalities available starting on Tuesday, July 2.

In April 2013 the California breast density notification law took effect. Medical imaging centers are now required to inform women if their screening mammogram indicates they have dense breast tissue. Additionally, patients must now be advised having dense breast tissue may make it more difficult to detect potentially cancerous lesions in their screening mammogram and that additional imaging studies are available.

Recent studies have indicated patients with an elevated risk of developing breast cancer may benefit from a screening ultrasound procedure. A 2008 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) indicated adding a single screening ultrasound to mammography revealed 28 percent more cancer in patients with dense breasts.

“Patients with dense breast tissue have an increased risk of developing breast cancer,” said Amy Bremner, M.D., lead surgeon at Breastlink of Temecula Valley. “One of the most important ways to successfully treat breast cancer is to detect cancer at an early stage. We anticipate the addition of the iVu SOFIA™ Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound System will improve our ability to detect a number of small cancers that cannot be seen in a screening mammogram study for women with dense breast tissue.”

It is important for referring physicians and patients to check insurance plans for coverage of an automated whole breast ultrasound scan. Breastlink of Temecula Valley is offering a special discount price of $199 for patients without insurance coverage through the end of July. Primary care physicians should weigh the risks and benefits for each patient’s specific situation to determine the best option.

About Breastlink

Breastlink is a network of comprehensive breast health centers offering full-service breast cancer treatment from initial screenings to the successful completion of treatment. Breastlink has a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, psychotherapists, researchers and patient advocates on staff to address the needs of breast cancer patients.

Breastlink has three locations in Southern California (Orange, Saddleback and Temecula Valley). Breastlink is affiliated with RadNet, Inc., which manages a network of outpatient imaging and comprehensive cancer treatment centers. For more information please visit Breastlink.com.