Nash Breast Care Center strives to make care more comfortable for patients

Getting an annual mammogram is not something people typically look forward to, but it plays a critical role in ensuring the overall health and wellness of patients by screening for breast cancer.

“Yearly mammograms are an important way of detecting most breast cancers as early as possible,” said Jamie Aycock, mammography supervisor at the Nash Breast Care Center. “There are different types of breast cancer, and some are more aggressive than others, so it is very important to do monthly self-breast exams and to get yearly mammograms to catch cancer at the earliest stage possible.”

And since yearly mammograms are so important, Nash UNC Health Care’s Breast Care Center strives to ensure the latest technology and cutting-edge devices are available to help improve the quality of screening and comfort for patients.

Recently, the Nash Breast Care Center debuted a new mammography paddle, the Hologic Smart Curve system, that is designed to make mammograms more comfortable for most patients.

“The new paddle system is designed to contour to the breast’s natural curve, which decreases pain and increases the patient’s comfort level during the procedure,” Aycock stated.

Cynthia Brown, a breast care center patient, shared her recent experience with the new paddle.

“For me, the new paddle was much more comfortable. If I had to give it a number, it was 75 percent more comfortable than the regular mammogram paddle. It really was amazing. Another thing I noticed was that I was not sore after the mammogram,” Brown said.

Brown explained the new technology is important to encourage patients to get their yearly mammograms, especially since it is a procedure that most people dread.

“For me, my last mammogram was a great experience for something that you usually dread. The new paddle made it so much better,” Brown explained.

Aycock explained the Nash Breast Care Center is the only facility in Rocky Mount with the new paddle, and detailed what studies reveal about the new technology.

“Studies show that 93 percent of patients report improved comfort with the new system, and 97 percent of patients recommend using facilities with the technology. But it is important to know that not every patient can use the new paddle, as it is based on breast size and tissue density, but every patient will be screened to determine fit. If they are eligible to use the new paddle, there is no extra cost to do so,” Aycock stated.
Brown wants patients to know that even if they do not qualify for the new technology, the Nash Breast Care Center team works hard to ensure they provide the best experience possible for every patient.

“Having a mammogram done at the Nash Breast Care Center will make you realize it is not as bad as you think it is. The center is always looking for ways to increase the comfort level of patients so you won’t dread it quite as much. It’s just one of those things that you have to do for your health, and the breast care center is doing a great job to make it a better experience for all patients,” she said.

Brown said the entire team provides a calming experience for patients and she appreciates the approach team members take with her during her appointments.

“The entire team is wonderful. My technician Jamie was calming and she took her time with me. I didn’t feel rushed and I didn’t feel like I didn’t know what was going on since she kept me informed during the entire process,” Brown explained.

Brown also added that she received her results quickly, and Aycock explained that patients receiving a mammogram for diagnostic purposes can even receive results the same day.

All-in-all, Brown said she drives an hour to the Nash Breast Care Center not just for the new technology, but for the entire experience the center provides.

“I drive an hour to the Nash Breast Care Center because it is worth it for the experience I receive as a patient. From the cleanliness of the facility to the friendliness of the staff and the comfort level I feel when I am there, it all makes a huge difference. At other facilities I feel more like a number, but at Nash I feel like a person.”