The Capitol Medical Center (CMC) Breast Care Center in Quezon City is the first in the Philippines to utilize Philips Healthcare's MammoDiagnost DR, a full field digital mammography system designed to improve breast cancer detection and therefore, improve patient outcomes

Breast cancer cases are rising and the disease is responsible for many deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The Philippines has the most number of new breast cancer cases in Asia with over 12,000 cases diagnosed in 2010 and 4,000 fatalities.

"It is very common problem here. Researchers attribute this mostly to the westernized diet we have." That's how serious the problem is, revealed Dr. Benigno R. Santi II, chair of the CMC Department of Radiology.

"You also have to consider genetics. If you have a relative who has breast cancer, your chances of getting breast cancer are high. This is the reason why CMC has embarked on a breast cancer screening program to detect breast cancer at its earliest stage and hopefully achieve a complete cure."

To detect breast cancer in those who have no symptoms, doctors rely on mammography, a screening method that takes x-ray of the breast. The Philips MammoDiagnost DR, is a full field digital mammography solution equipped with Philips' unique image processing and the Eleva user interface, providing excellent image quality and a smooth workflow. These features ensure maximum safety and comfort for both personnel and patient.

For patients, this means less anxiety, less invasive procedures and a lower exposure to x-rays. For radiologists and doctors, Philips' advanced imaging system helps identify even the smallest changes in the breast tissue, leading to a more comprehensive picture and a higher detection rate.

Philips has always focused on women's health care. We have dedicated care cycle that looks at breast cancer from all angles and helps us create solutions for early detection, dignosis, treatment, staging and management of the disease..." said Rolf Lioen, General Manager for Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines, Philips Healthcare.

"The advantages of digital mammography over film screen mammography were proven in the Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial conducted in the United States that involved over 49,000 patients. All of the asymptomatic women presenting for screening underwent both film screen mammography and digital mammography was found to be better for women with heterogeneously (very dense) or extremely dense breasts, making it easier for a radiologist to detect micro-calcification," added Dr. Concon Molina, Philips Healthcare Women's Health, Business Manager for Asia Pacific.

In most countries with breast screening program, mammography is recommended every one to two years for women 40 years old and above. Women who are at higher than average risk of breast cancer should talk with their health care providers about whether to have mammograms before age 40 and how often to have them. This non invasive procedure only takes a few minutes and will help doctors identify and treat breast cancer before it spreads.(PHILIPS)