St. John’s Health Breast Cancer News

Following a robust educational campaign during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, St. John’s Health is pleased to announce an important investment in new breast imaging services, along with an exciting new community partnership.

Expanded Breast Cancer Imaging Services: With generous support from the St. John’s Health Foundation and community donors, St. John’s Health is adding a second Hologic 3D mammography system to expand capacity for breast health screening. Hologic’s 3D system detects more invasive cancers, reduces false positives, and is FDA approved as superior compared to conventional 2D mammography for all women, including those with dense breasts. The new system will be in use for patient appointments by March 2022.

“Doubling our capacity will help patients get scheduled sooner,” said Diagnostic Imaging Director Tiffany Logan. “Early detection means early treatment, and providing quick, easy access to appointments is part of our focus on caring for the community.”

Increased screening capacity will also help address important priorities from the 2021 Teton County Health Needs Assessment. “Sadly, Wyoming rates very poorly in terms of women getting their recommended mammograms,” said St. John’s radiologist Dr. Sean Haling. “Based on 2018 data, in Wyoming the percentage of women age 40 and older who reported having a mammogram in the last two years was 62%. We are ranked 48 out of 50 states.“ The lifetime risk of breast cancer in women is 1 in 8. Starting yearly mammography at age 40 has helped cut breast cancer deaths by more than 40 percent. “The accessibility of screening mammography is a big road block to getting yearly examinations. The addition of a second mammography unit will significantly improve appointment availability, helping to ensure that women in our region have better flexibility in obtaining this crucial screening tool,” said Dr. Haling.

St. John’s Health is an American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BICOE), one of only three sites in Wyoming to achieve this designation and the only BICOE in a 200-mile radius of Jackson. St. John’s Health is accredited by the American College of Radiology in all aspects of breast imaging – mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound including biopsy, and breast MRI.

Partnership Raises Awareness: Pink ribbons are an international symbol of breast cancer awareness, and now a pink gondola in our world-renowned ski town will elevate awareness of local partnerships that help prevent cancer, promote early detection, and offer support for those who are impacted. Thanks to St. John’s Health Foundation and Jackson Hole Medical Imaging, Snow King Mountain’s new Leitner-Pomma Gondola will feature one pink cabin when it begins running this winter. “Snow King Mountain Resort has been such a great partner in assisting with cancer prevention and support,” said St. John’s Health communications officer Karen Connelly. “Snow King graciously hosted and sponsored our successful Slopes and Scopes family-friendly event to prevent colon cancer and we are so appreciative to have them now as a new partner in breast cancer education.”

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Media contact:

Karen Connelly, Chief Communications Officer, kconnelly@stjohns.health, 307.739.7380

About St. John’s Health:

St. John’s Health is a locally led community health system serving Teton County, WY and the surrounding region. Recently recognized as a top hospital by Newsweek, St. John’s Health is focused on clinical excellence, individualized care, and community wellness. St. John’s Health offers a broad range of high-quality inpatient and outpatient care and a five-star senior living community in Jackson, WY.

About St. John’s Health Foundation:

The mission of the St. John’s Health Foundation is to secure philanthropic support to advance the mission and strategic objectives of St. John’s Health, including patient-centered care, clinical excellence, and community wellness.