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Kansas City area on cutting edge offering latest breast imaging technology in the U.S.

Posted at 7:05 PM, Sep 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-18 20:05:21-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- New technology in breast imaging is making screening faster and less painful. 

Radiologists at the University of Kansas Health System are offering Abbreviated MRI screenings for breast cancer. 

In the Northland, Imaging for Woman has a new mammography technology called Pristina that allows patients to control how much compression they receive.

Abbreviated MRI at the University of Kansas Health System's Indian Creek campus uses the same MRI equipment. 

However, during breast screening doctors capture fewer images so it speeds up the process. Patients can get an Abbreviated MRI in ten minutes or less.

The University of Kansas Health System is the only hospital in the region using Abbreviated MRI.

At Imaging for Women, radiologists are raving about the new technology allowing women to control the amount of compression they receive. 

Technicians set a minimum compression and the patient holds a remote control that allows them to increase or decrease compression. Radiologists believe giving patients control over compression will encourage women not to avoid annual mammograms.

"The two fears that women have about getting a mammogram is fear of pain and fear of compression," said Imaging for Women Radiologist Dr. Allison Zupon.

Women do not have to be afraid of allowing too much compression because the machine is calibrated for maximum compression and once that level is reached it will automatically stop, take the image and quickly release.

A patient at Imaging for Women who used the device said she liked it.

"You don't have to worry about the pain that's involved with it. It was a really good experience. I'm glad to be one of the first ones to try it," said patient Angela King.

Imaging for Women is one of only two locations in the U.S. offering Pristina imaging. The other location is a hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.