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ProMedica Memorial Hospital has been rated among the best when it comes to detecting breast cancers.

The hospital was awarded the top accreditation rank in mammography for a three-year term after a recent review by the American College of Radiology. 

The ACR has designated Memorial Hospital a "gold standard" in detecting breast cancer, thanks in part to the hospital's 3-D mammography that provides patients with the best possible imaging in breast cancer screenings.

Nathan Egbert, radiology medical director for Memorial, said there is a 98% survival rate if breast cancer is caught in the early stages. He said the technology used by Memorial Hospital, one of the first of its kind to be used in rural hospitals, has made an impact in Sandusky County.

"What it means is we have the personnel who are trained to perform mammography and the top-of-the-line equipment," Egbert said.

How long has 3-D mammography been around?

Egbert said the 3-D mammography was installed about five years ago and has been a game-changer for the rural hospital.

He said the main advantage to the 3-D technology is the ability to see through the breast tissue that allows for them to pick up smaller cancers that may go undetected with older, less advanced equipment.

"It also helps prevent false positives... we don't have to have women come back for further imaging," Egbert said. "Now, a lot of times we can skip that extra step and go straight to an ultrasound."

What is the  American College of Radiology?

Founded in 1924, the ACR is a professional medical society dedicated to serving patients and society by empowering radiology professionals to advance the practice, science and professions of radiological care. The college serves more than 37,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

The ACR awards gold seals of accreditation to those who meet the quality and patient standards following a peer-review process.

Egbert said part of the process for accreditation is to ensure as little radiation is used as possible when providing a mammography screening.

Women over 40 are encouraged to get a mammogram done, and Egbert said locals have access to some of the best equipment and radiologists in the area to help them along the way.