The ability of Sunshine Coast doctors to locate and identify breast cancers at their earliest stage has taken a huge leap forward with the donation of a new digital mammography machine at St. Mary's Hospital.
Funded through the estate of Donald Webster, left to the St. Mary's Hospital Foundation, the new machine has improved the speed and accuracy of mammograms here on the Coast.
"This new digital technology provides a better quality image and gives physicians more immediate results," said Dennis Hummerston, director of medical imaging, Coastal HSDA, Vancouver Coastal Health. "And when it comes to the treatment of cancer, early detection is key."
Dr. Sven Aippersbach, head radiologist at St. Mary's Hospital, said mammography has been proven to reduce breast cancer mortality.
"Digital mammography is the latest and most advanced way to deliver this life-saving examination, and we are proud to have this state of the art technology at St. Mary's Hospital," he said.
Webster left more than $1 million to the Foundation to support emerging hospital needs. When it was suggested to Doug Keller, estate executor, that a portion of the estate be used to purchase the new mammography machine, he was in full support.
"We are extremely grateful that Mr. Webster thought of St. Mary's Hospital Foundation in preparing his will, and our entire community is benefitting from his generosity," said foundation chair Maureen Clayton. "Our ability to help provide the hospital with modern medical equipment means better care for all of us, right here at home. And we thank our donors for that."
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