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MetroWest Medical Center Offers Comprehensive Women's Imaging Services No Bones About It…
More and more women are turning to MetroWest Medical Center to meet their imaging needs. The medical center has recently added some of the latest imaging equipment available to help women access important health services as quickly as possible.
Bone Density
Osteoporosis is a disease that thins and weakens bones to the point where they break easily. According to the National Institute on Aging, half of all women over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture during their lives. In women, bone loss begins around age 30 and increases rapidly after the onset of menopause. One way to learn whether you are at risk is to have a scan that measures your bone density.
"It's always good to prevent bone loss," says Dr. Donald Bachman, Director of Women's Imaging at MetroWest Medical Center. "Bone density scanning is an extremely effective way to determine whether you are at risk for osteoporosis." Baseline bone density exams are recommended for women over 40 with follow-up as indicated by exam results. Female patients of any age with a history of poor nutrition, steroid use or alcoholism are also recommended for bone density evaluation.
Bone density scans are available at the MetroWest Wellness Center and an Osteoporosis Support Group is also hosted at this location.
Mammography
Thankfully, breast health awareness is increasing among women. As a result, many women are following the National Women's Health Information Center's guidelines of having a baseline mammogram at age 35-39 and an annual mammogram starting at age 40.
MetroWest Medical Center has responded to the high local demand for mammography by purchasing two new, advanced mammography machines. Mammograms are available:
- Framingham Union Hospital in Framingham
- Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick
- MetroWest Wellness Center on Route 9 in Framingham
"The availability of two new machines enables us to schedule routine appointments more quickly than ever," says Kathy Franco-Anthony, Director of Radiology. "And if someone has a specific cause for concern, we'll make every effort to see them the same day."
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