The Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center has received another three-year accreditation for stereotactic biopsy procedures, reported Terry Lynn Bucknall, director of Women's Imaging Services. Designated by the American College of Radiology as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center is defined by quality standards and has undergone a rigorous accreditation process including image evaluations by a team of experts.

“We also received the ultrasound and ultrasound core biopsy accreditations,” Bucknall said. “We have renewed now our three-year renewal designation as an ACR Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BICOE).”

The Breast Imaging Center uses digital mammography and offers the latest ultrasound technology, as well as breast MRI, which complements mammography in cancer detection and facilitates minimally invasive, image-guided biopsies. Located on Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital’s campus, the Imaging Center has performed more than 76,000 procedures and detected almost 560 breast cancers.

The best available tool for breast cancer detection continues to be the mammogram. Taken over time, mammograms provide a way to identify changes in the breast tissue, such as the appearance of a tumor. Discovering cancer in its early stages increases treatment options and allows a much greater chance of survival and positive outcomes.

According to the American Cancer Society, timely screenings can reduce breast cancer mortality in women age 40 and older by 17 to 30%. The American Cancer Society recommends that women with no history of breast cancer in the family should schedule an annual mammogram at age 40. Beginning at the age of 20, women are recommended to have a clinical breast exam by their medical provider, and discuss options for screenings if they have a history of breast cancer in their family.

For more information or to make an appointment, please call (661) 253-8822.

Make Time for Mammograms

Since 2007, the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center has dedicated Mondays in February and August to entice busy women to take time to take care of themselves by getting a mammogram and enjoying special treatment. “Mammo Mondays” was first initiated to encourage Henry Mayo employees, volunteers, physicians, and their office staff and spouses to get their annual mammograms. During their appointment, participants receive complimentary massages, snacks and special gifts.

“The event is designed to encourage women to take care of themselves,” Bucknall said.  “Many times women are so busy taking care of others that they don’t take care of themselves. Our goal is to improve access to breast imaging services in the Santa Clarita Valley with the specific intent to make it easier and more convenient for women to have their annual mammograms and to reduce the anxiety associated with breast cancer detection.”

More than 65 women had their mammograms during Mammo Monday in August. The procedure lasted about 15 minutes and afterward participants were treated to massages performed by volunteer students from nearby Charter College. Vivian Zinn, director of emergency services, and Anna Graham, a secretary in MedSurg3 have been getting mammograms during Mammo Monday for several years.

“I wouldn’t be getting it done if I didn’t do it here because they remind me to do it,” Zinn said.

“They don’t let me forget,” Graham added. “This is an amazingly great place.”