Marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, Keystone Medical is encouraging women to have their annual screening done. Keystone Medical is making a collective effort to find innovative ways to arm and equip patients in the fight against breast cancer.
As a leading Radiology practice, Keystone Medical believes the month of October should be used to shine the light on the issue of breast health, however we encourage doctors and patients to prioritise it throughout the year.
Keystone Medical aims to make screening more accessible to all women of South Africa with our state-of-the-art mobile screening unit. By making our equipment mobile, Keystone Medical allows patients to utilise a screening process that uses the latest mammography technology, requiring less deep pressure and discomfort for quality imaging. Breast ultrasonography further enhances breast cancer detection rates and diagnostic abilities.
A Mammogram is a specialised imaging method that uses low dose X-rays to evaluate the internal structure of the breast. Mammography is an important diagnostic tool used in the early detection of breast cancer.
In one way or another, all South Africans are affected by the effects of breast cancer, whether it impacts them personally or through family and friends. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women of all races, with one in 27 women being at risk of being diagnosed in their lifetime.
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Keystone Medical highlights the importance of detecting breast cancer as early as possible, which drastically increases treatment options and survival rates. Dr Pieter Henning, a Radiologist and Director of Keystone Medical, said a false perception exists that a mammogram is a painful procedure. Advances in technology have made the screening process less invasive, while still improving detection rates. “At Keystone Medical, we pride ourselves on providing sensitive care to our patients, understanding the uncertainty as well as anxiety related to such an intimate screening process,” said Dr Henning. “Our expertly trained all-female staff provide informative guidance during the entire screening process.”
Keystone Medical advocates annual screening for all patients starting from age 40. However, we emphasize that women should not wait until they feel a breast lump before prioritising a mammogram. Where breast cancer was detected in an immediate relative, patients should start screening 10 years before the age of the
relatives’ diagnosis. Younger women are not exempted from screening for breast cancer. We promote monthly breast self-examinations, after which Keystone Medical offers a diagnostic ultrasound for any breast abnormality detected.
The world-class Mobile Mammography Unit will be stationed at MooiMed Hospital in Potchefstroom until October 18 before it moves to Johannesburg. Patients can book a screening at Keystone Medical in Montana, Centurion and Brits or visit the website (www.ks-med.co.za) for details of the mobile unit’s next stop. Keystone Medical encourages women to make a mammogram part of their annual routine check-ups. We offer mammograms to both private and Medical Aid patients. Patients with medical aid can contact Keystone Medical for assistance with benefit checks.
About Keystone Medical
Keystone Medical was created to provide a sustainable corporate structure in which integrated healthcare services, especially in the field of radiology, could be provided to our patients. The company offers a unique and innovative turnkey solution to all your imaging requirements.