NCH Welcomes New Breast Health Specialist
N CH recently professionals. Tran Ho, DO, a breast surgical oncologist, began her tenure with NCH last fall, bringing her expertise in the detection and treatment of breast cancer, oncoplastic breast surgery, and high-risk evaluation to the NCH Center for Breast Health. welcomed a new star to its stellar team of breast healthcare
cases to develop evidence-based and optimum care plans for each patient. In an effort to round out the spectrum of breast health care offered at NCH, Dr. Ho and the team at the Center for Breast Health are developing a survivorship care clinic or program for patients who have been treated for breast cancer. “It’s the next chapter in their lives in terms of moving forward with a new normal after breast cancer treatment and understanding the follow-up that is needed. It is important for us to help be that bridge in this next step in their lives,” says Dr. Ho, who also has an eye on making the Center for Breast Health a destination for breast care. “We recognize that there is a large seasonal population of patients who come to Naples,” says Dr. Ho. “We want
Services provided by Tran Ho, DO:
• Breast-conserving surgery • Nipple-sparing mastectomy • Prophylactic mastectomy • Oncoplastic breast surgery • Breast ultrasound and biopsies • Image-guided breast procedures • Breast cancer risk assessment • Genetic testing
“We evaluate and treat patients with a variety of breast issues – both benign and malignant,” explains Dr. Ho. “We treat women and men with breast cancer, benign breast masses, nipple discharge and other breast concerns, as well as providing compassionate care to these patients.” Fellowship-trained in Breast Surgical Oncology, Dr. Ho graduated from Atlanta’s Emory University and received her medical school training at Touro University of Nevada. She completed her general surgery residency at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Michigan and is a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology and the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Committed to bringing excellence in healthcare to her patients, Dr. Ho is part of a multidisciplinary team that provides efficient and comprehensive care for breast cancer patients. This team includes oncology nurse navigators, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and breast surgeons who meet weekly at a breast tumor board to discuss patient
Tran Ho, DO
seasonal and permanent residents to know that they can receive advanced breast care at the Center for Breast Health in Naples – if there is a breast concern, come in and see us and we’ll take care of you.” For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (239) 624-8120. Dr. Ho’s office is located at NCHCenter for Breast Health, 11181 Health Park Blvd., Ste. 2220, in North Naples.
New Half-Dose Radiation Mammogram Screenings Offer Lower Exposure to Radiation with Excellent Detection
in units called millisieverts, or mSv. Medical imaging does indeed expose patients to some radiation, the amount of exposure depends on the type of imaging being performed. A typical chest x-ray, for example, will expose a patient to about 0.1 mSv – or the equivalent of 10 days of natural background exposure. A CT scan, on the other hand, ups that exposure level to 10 mSv, and a PET scan, to 25 mSv. These tests are not intended for yearly annual screening. The annual mammogram radiation exposure is designed to be lower than CT scans and is roughly equivalent to seven weeks of background radiation, or summering in high elevations such as Colorado, or taking 10 domestic flights in a year. Screening mammograms make up
to 1 mSv with the newer and more accurate 3D mammogram. “The increase in dose is worth it, as we realize that the 3Dmammogram findsmore cancers,” she adds, “and 2D+3D mammograms are still well below published Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) mandated guidelines.” In an effort to lower radiation exposure from the 3D mammogram, now a computer software is used to synthesize a 2D mammogram from the 3D images – or create a composite view – of the breast without exposing the patient to additional radiation,” explains Dr. Handa. The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammogram screenings for all women at age 40. “If you have been putting off mammograms, the time is now to make an appointment for this most important screening exam,” stresses Dr. Handa. Benefits of the new lower dose radiation protocol with 3D imaging
Dr. Priyanka Handa
only a small fraction of the total radiation we are routinely exposed to. A mammogram is a voluntary step to detect cancer before it can be felt, and the benefit of early diagnosis far outweighs any risk of radiation. “NCH imaging has cut the radiation dose of a typical 3D mammogram in half, while maintaining excellent diagnostic accuracy,” says Priyanka Handa, MD, Director of Breast Imaging at NCH Imaging Centers. “The annual exposure limit of a radiation worker is up to 50 mSv per year, and they have zero increased risk of cancer, even with daily workplace exposure.” Dr. Handaexplains that traditional 2Dmammogram delivers up to 0.5 mSv of radiation, which increases
Breast cancer is very treatable when it is caught in its earliest stages. As more women participate in yearly mammography screenings, mortality rates continue to fall. Radiation can be a small cause for concern for some, but here are the myths and realities of medical radiation exposed. It is true that high levels of radiation can cause tissue damage and cancers. However, rarely are these conditions attributable to radiation exposure during diagnostic imaging tests. We are all exposed to varying levels of natural radiationeveryday, thanks to cosmic rays, radon gas in our homes and radioactive materials in our environment. These are all naturally occurring sources of radiation, which aremeasurable
✦ Reduced radiation in half of the typical 2D +3D exam ✦ 3D mammograms find more invasive cancers and improves the cancer detection rate ✦ 3D mammograms have a lower recall rate, with fewer women required to return for additional imaging
NCH Imaging is the largest imaging service in Collier County with 5 convenient locations offering 3Dmammogram. For more information or make an appointment, call (239) 624-4443 to schedule a mammogram.
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