New Breast Center and Mobile Mammography Bus are area’s first with advanced cancer-fighting technology

On Saturday, University Health will celebrate the opening of a new stand-alone breast imaging center equipped with the most advanced equipment available for detecting breast cancer early, when treatment can best save lives. It is the first and only center in San Antonio providing radiologists with the latest AI-powered software that identifies the most subtle patterns in tissue that may reveal tumors.

“It’s exciting to work with the best screening technology available,” said Dr. Sara Ortiz-Romero, a radiologist at the University Health Breast Center. “We want women to be their healthiest, best selves, and by providing the most accurate screenings available, we can detect cancer before it spreads.”

Ortiz, the University Health mammography team and breast cancer survivors will gather tomorrow at 10 a.m. for the grand opening of the new University Health Breast Center and introduction of our new University Health Mobile Mammography Bus. Tours and interviews will be available for both facilities.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer now accounts for 30% of all new cancers in women each year. When detected early and treated, before it spreads outside the breast, the survival rate is 99%. Delaying detection, however, can lead to a very different outcome. If the cancer reaches other parts of the body, including a patient’s lungs or bones, the five-year survival rate is just 31%.

Radiologists evaluating the mammograms will have the assistance of Hologenic Genius AI software trained on a vast database of mammograms, which enables it to detect potential problems that may be missed by the human eye. Another advantage of this new system is its ability also to tell when something, such as very dense breast tissue, is not a problem – thereby reducing unnecessary and anxiety-inducing follow-up exams.

In another first for breast cancer detection in our community, University Health has invested in the Brevara Breast Biopsy System. If a patient has suspicious breast tissue that needs lab testing, the system uses a more comfortable process that’s faster, requires fewer tissue samples and results in less patient bruising.

University Health is also tackling the mission of early detection with a mobile clinic that provides state-of-the-art breast screenings closer to where patients live and work.

To schedule a mammogram at our Breast Center, people can call 210-644-2900. For the mobile clinic, call 210-358-7020.

“A new center, a new mammography bus and these new technologies are examples of University Health thinking beyond standard breast cancer screenings to offer the newest tools available to detect more cancers at their earliest stages,” said Dr. Margaret Kelley, an OB-GYN and member of the Bexar County Hospital District Board of Managers.