San Ramon Regional Medical Center Utilizing New Technology to Improve Surgical Experience for Breast Cancer Patients

SRRMC surgeons and radiologists among the first in the region to use this technology

San Ramon, Calif. – San Ramon Regional Medical Center continues to demonstrate its commitment to offering the most advanced treatment options to patients with breast cancer by utilizing the SCOUT® Wire-Free Radar Breast Localization System to provide easier, more compassionate care to women undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

“Breast cancer surgery can be physically and emotionally distressing for women, and we strive to find ways to create a better experience – and better outcomes – for our patients,” said Ann Lucena, CEO of San Ramon Regional Medical Center. “SCOUT resolves one of the most difficult aspects of breast conservation surgery by eliminating the need to place a wire inside breast tissue to locate a tumor.”

This new technology has been shown to decrease patient discomfort and improve patient satisfaction. SCOUT uses non-radioactive, radar technology to provide real-time surgical guidance during breast surgery. Rather than placing a wire immediately before surgery, a reflector is placed in the target tissue prior to the day of surgery at the patient’s convenience. During surgery, the SCOUT guide uses real-time distance measurement guidance to accurately detect the location of the reflector – and the tumor to within 1mm of accuracy.

The ability to precisely locate tumors increases the probability of complete cancer removal and reduces the likelihood of needing follow-up surgeries – a huge advantage for early-state breast cancer patients. In addition, the ability to strategically plan the incision may result in better cosmetic outcomes. SCOUT is also used to effectively localize lymph nodes prior to neoadjuvant therapy and can be used with any type of imaging over the course of a patient’s care.

“We are proud to be among the first in the region to adopt wire-free localization as the standard of care, offering the new SCOUT radar localization system during breast conservation surgeries,” Lucena said. “As research and technology advances, we’re committed to adopting the safest and most progressive treatment options for women and men with breast cancer.”

In addition to this new technology, San Ramon Regional Medical Center also offers 3D mammography (breast tomosynthesis) for breast cancer screening. Breast cancer screening with tomosynthesis when combined with a conventional 2D mammography has a 40 percent higher invasive cancer detection rate than conventional 2D mammography alone.

San Ramon’s 3D mammography system offers exceptionally sharp breast images, and an advanced design providing more patient comfort. The ground-breaking tomosynthesis platform is designed to deliver superior screening and diagnostic performance for all breast types. It produces a three-dimensional view of the breast tissue that helps radiologists identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue.

Breast tomosynthesis has the potential to benefit all screening and diagnostic mammography patients and is especially valuable for women receiving a baseline screening, those who have dense breast tissue and/or women with a personal history of breast cancer.

The tomosynthesis screening experience is similar to a traditional mammogram. During the exam, multiple, low-dose images of the breast are acquired at different angles. These images are then used to produce a series of one-millimeter thick slices that can be viewed as a 3D reconstruction of the breast.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics indicate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent.

San Ramon Regional Medical Center is committed to the fight against breast cancer. To learn more about the services offered at the hospital’s Breast Center, please call 925-275-6116 or visit www.SanRamonMedCtr.com.