​New mammography machine coming to Kincardine Hospital

A new mammography machine will be installed at the South Bruce Grey Health Centre’s Kincardine Hospital site this spring.

That’s the word from the health centre in a press release, issued Monday.

The new Seno Pristina Digital Mammography System from GE Health Care will replace the current equipment that has been in place since 2013. The new machine will feature modern technologies that will allow for potential program enhancement, including Tomosynthesis (3D anatomical view) and Contrast Enhanced Mammography (injection of X-ray dye through an IV to highlight blood vessels).

The total project cost has been generously supported by the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation. The new equipment is expected to be operational in late May.

The mammography suite is currently decommissioned to begin construction to accommodate the new equipment. During the construction period, mammograms will be scheduled for patients at the health centre’s Walkerton site.

The mammography program at the Kincardine Hospital supports the Ontario Breast Screening Program, as well as diagnostic mammography, performing more than 1,200 mammograms annually. The provincial program provides routine screening for woman aged 50-74, across 160 locations in Ontario, and will be expanded in the fall to start screening at the age of 40.

Women can book their own appointments, regardless if they have a family physician, and are reminded by mail when they are due for their next screening. Both the participant and primary care provider receive the screening results. The program will help to set up further testing, if required.