In addition to laboratory services, the Diagnostic Center provides a selection of diagnostic imaging options, including X-ray, bone density scanning and a dedicated PET scanner. The facility also offers access to a full suite of radiology diagnostics, including MRI, CT, mammography, and ultrasound imaging—all supported by experienced radiologists and staffed with skilled technologists and nurses.

Women who visit the PMC Diagnostic Center for mammograms will find a dedicated Breast Care Area that offers the latest technology in 3D Mammography. Each of the three mammography machines features state-of-the-art technology, enabling rapid and precise analysis of every 3D image. The software can detect potential signs of cancer with pinpoint accuracy, alerting physicians when additional evaluation may be needed, resulting in faster diagnosis, treatment and better patient outcomes. The PMC Diagnostic Center also features an EKG machine, offering added convenience to patients whose healthcare provider has ordered both an EKG and lab work. Patients can have their blood drawn and undergo an EKG at one convenient location.

The Diagnostic Center is committed to minimizing patient wait times and improving the speed and safety of diagnostic procedures. A significant component of this effort is a newly installed, state-of-the-art automated lab line that processes specimens swiftly and securely.

Recent upgrades to the laboratory have made testing quicker and more efficient. A state-of-the-art automated lab line now processes specimens on site, bringing many tests that once required longer wait times directly into the facility. This technology allows specimens to be safely stored and retested if further information is required, minimizing the need for patients to provide additional samples.

With these advancements, patients can expect shorter wait times, more convenient access and faster turnaround for test results. The improvements make the process easier and less stressful for patients, while providing care teams with the necessary information to make informed treatment decisions in a timely manner.

By offering comprehensive diagnostic services in a convenient location, the PMC Diagnostic Center helps patients take an active role in their health. Timely test results and accurate imaging allow providers to detect problems earlier, leading to better outcomes. Patients can feel confident that their care team has the information needed to make informed decisions and provide timely treatment.

The Diagnostic Center is located beside the PMC Outpatient Pharmacy, and is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (606) 430-4673 or visit www.pmcky.org/diagnostic-center

The two-bay, climate-controlled lab, located at the PMC Diagnostic Center, is equipped to serve patients with efficiency and comfort in mind. With two lanes, the drive-thru system helps reduce wait times, allowing patients to complete their tests without leaving their vehicles.

Services offered, with a doctor’s order, include nose and throat swabs, blood draws and adult vaccinations. The lab is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., giving individuals plenty of flexibility to fit important testing into their daily routine. No appointment is necessary, making it even easier for patients to get the lab work they need.

PMC leaders say the addition of the drive-thru reflects the hospital’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to high-quality care in ways that are both innovative and patient-centered. By making diagnostic services more accessible, PMC aims to reduce barriers that can delay crucial testing and enable patients to take charge of their health.

The exact causes of breast cancer are not fully understood, but factors such as genetics, hormonal imbalances, lifestyle choices and environmental exposures may contribute to its development. As with all cancers, early detection is the key to improving breast cancer outcomes. Regular self-breast-exams, clinical breast exams and mammograms are essential tools for catching breast cancer in its early stages.

When a screening results in a devastating diagnosis of cancer, it is important to know where to turn. The Lawson Cancer Center makes it easier for patients during this difficult period in their lives. With the combination of advanced technologies and compassionate care, the LCC is working to improve outcomes and enhance the quality of life for breast cancer patients.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, everyone is encouraged to take time to further understand the disease, provide support and empower those affected by breast cancer.

To learn more about Lawson Cancer Center, or to schedule a cancer screening, please visit pikevillehospital.org/cancer.

The FDA reports that less than half of the certified mammography facilities in the US use 3D mammography as the standard for screening mammograms. PMC is proud to offer to most advanced technology available to better detect cancer in earlier stages.

A 3D mammogram offers advantages in detecting breast cancer in people with dense breast tissue. A number of studies have also found that 3D mammograms find more cancers than traditional 2D mammograms and also reduce the number of false positives.

National Mammography Day is October 20. This day serves as a reminder to all women that the best defense against breast cancer is early detection. PMC encourages women with risk factors for breast cancer to be proactive about their health and get a mammogram.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women as early as 40 can have yearly mammograms if they have concerns, but all women should begin having yearly mammograms by age 45.

PMC uses mammography to detect breast cancer two different ways.

“A woman over the age of 40 who has concerns about her breast health can get a screening mammogram without a doctor’s order,” said Neil Hunt, manager of PMC’s Outpatient Diagnostic Center. “If you discover a lump or have pain or symptoms call your doctor to get a diagnostic mammogram. PMC employs very skilled technologists and the mammography services here are ACR accredited.”

A screening mammogram is very quick. Two or three images of the breast are taken and later read by a radiologist. The results are mailed to you and to your primary care physician.

A diagnostic mammogram also involves images taken, but they are read by the radiologist while the patient waits for the results. The radiologist determines then if further testing is necessary. Sometimes a focused ultrasound is then ordered if an area needs a better image. An MRI may be ordered when a mammogram is abnormal.

About one in every eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. In 2019, an estimated 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the US, along with 62,930 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer. Survivability of this disease is much greater when detected in the earliest stages.

A common misconception is that only people with a family history of breast cancer are at risk for this disease. More than 75 percent of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history. To reduce the risks of getting breast cancer Hunt recommends staying healthy by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and limiting alcohol consumption.”

Mammograms do not replace breast self-exams. Those should be performed every month. If you notice differences or feel pain, make an appointment to see a physician.