Tellica Imaging Now Offering Breast MRIs to Help Screen Women in Idaho at Higher Risk of Breast Cancer; Early Detection Key in Fight Against Breast Cancer
Idaho currently ranks 49th in the nation for breast cancer screenings with 1 in 3 breast cancers in the state being discovered at an advanced stage. Tellica Imaging is working to change that.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Tellica Imaging is introducing fast and full diagnostic breast MRI for women in the Treasure Valley who are at higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Half of women in their 40s have dense breast tissue that can put them at higher risk of developing breast cancer, while also making cancer harder to detect on a mammogram. Both fast breast MRI and full breast MRI produce images that can clearly show images of cancers that may be forming inside dense breast tissue.
“For women at higher risk of developing breast cancer this is a way to have peace of mind and help catch cancer in its earliest stages,” said Doug Greally, MD, president and chief medical officer for Tellica Imaging. “Breast MRI doesn’t replace an annual mammogram, but it’s another tool for women to take charge of their health and have peace of mind.”
A fast breast MRI requires special equipment. That’s why it’s not always available at clinics and hospitals that offer regular MRI screening. The fast breast MRI scan only takes around 15 minutes and is covered by some insurance plans.
A full breast MRI is longer as there are added sequences, and the time is approximately double.
If a patient doesn’t have insurance or their provider doesn’t cover it, Tellica Imaging offers upfront flat rate pricing, so a patient pays no more than $350 for a fast breast MRI and $550 for a full breast MRI.
Even with these new options for advanced screening an annual mammogram is still needed because there are some cancers only found using mammography screening.
That’s why Tellica is partnering with Lyra Total Breast Health in Meridian which offers mammography and other breast care services.
“Our goal is to make breast screenings a convenient and quick process so women can easily make their health a priority, even with a busy schedule,” said Barb White, MD, a radiologist at Lyra Total Breast Health. “Early detection is still one of the biggest steps in the fight against breast cancer and this new partnership with Tellica Imaging will ensure women in Idaho have the tools they need.”
Women should begin mammography screenings for breast cancer at age 40 and continue annually as long as they’re healthy. Some women may need to begin screening earlier than age 40, if they have a family history of breast cancer.
For more information on Tellica Imaging or to schedule an appointment, click here.
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About Intermountain Health
Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For more information or updates, see https://intermountainhealthcare.org/news.
