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3D Mammography Machine

Far Rockaway, New York, August 18, 2021 — St. John’s Episcopal Hospital is now home to the only 3D mammography machine on the Rockaway, Queens Peninsula. The 3D mammography machine offers state-of-the-art imaging technology that allows clinicians to see breast tissue details more clearly to uncover breast cancer that may have otherwise been hidden by overlying breast tissue.

“According to New York City Department of Health data, breast cancer is a leading cause of premature death in the Rockaways,” said Sharon Koehler, DO, FACS, Breast Surgeon. “This 3D mammography machine will provide us with the best breast imaging available, and will allow us to detect breast cancer as early as possible. Patient survival outcomes are improved if breast cancer is detected in its early stage.”

Breast cancer is the leading cancer of residents of the Rockaway Peninsula. Cancer rates for female breast cancer in the Rockaways are higher than the overall female breast cancer rates in all of Queens. And, per the statistics provided by the New York City Department of Health, breast cancer is a leading cause of premature death (death before the age of 65) in the Rockaways, with numbers that exceed the overall New York City cancer-related premature death rate.

The technology behind St. John’s new 3D mammography machine is superior to 2D mammography in that 2D mammography images can sometimes produce unclear results, false alarms, or fail to detect cancer. Whereas, 3D mammography enables clinicians to examine breast tissue one layer at a time by converting digital breast images into a stack of very thin layers for a radiologist to review.

St. John’s is also investing in a second 3D mammography machine that will be available at its Margaret O. Carpenter Women’s Health Center which is scheduled to open in early 2022. In addition to 3D mammography, the Margaret O. Carpenter Women’s Health Center will feature behavioral health services, breast surgery, gynecology/oncology, imaging, maternal fetal medicine, nutrition, OB-GYN, and urogynecology.

To schedule an appointment for a 3D mammography consultation with a St. John’s OB-GYN call

(718) 869-7500.


About Episcopal Health Services

Episcopal Health Services Inc., (EHS) is a health system located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York. The system provides emergency and ambulatory care to the densely populated, culturally and economically diverse, and medically underserved Rockaways and Five Towns populations. The system provides people of all faiths with comprehensive preventive, diagnostic treatment, and rehabilitative services, regardless of their ability to pay.