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Arlene Sussman, MD

Medical Director, Breast Imaging. Dr. Sussman heads vRad breast imaging services, striving to make high quality diagnostic expertise accessible everywhere – from large urban to remote rural communities. Recognizing a lack of medical research specific to women, she chose her specialty to better represent them and to help advance the understanding of women’s health issues. Dr. Sussman is a frequent contributor to news organizations – from trade journals to CNN – where she advocates for breast health education and promotes the life-saving potential of regular mammograms.

New Screening Mammogram Recommendations Don’t Go Far Enough

On May 9, 2023, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued draft recommendations that average-risk women get screened for breast cancer every two years beginning at age 40.   

While this is a step in the right direction, I have never wavered from the science that proved the life-saving benefits of annual screenings commencing at the age of 40. Here’s why. 

Telemammography Gaining Momentum with 1-Hour Diagnostic Results and Video Phone Consultations

The pandemic delayed breast care for many women. We all know, however, that you can’t put cancer on hold. Combine that with the intensifying shortage of radiologists in this country and we’re seeing more and more patients who desperately need care.

Fortunately, we can provide screening mammograms and same-day diagnostic results remotely to many of those patients who lack access locally – for whatever reason. Perhaps the drive is too far, or their local provider doesn’t have a breast imaging specialist.

vRad first launched its remote diagnostic mammography program back in 2016, connecting patients and technologists with fellowship-trained, board-certified radiologists via live video consultation. Some providers and their patients were tentative at first – this was, after all, years before telehealth popularity skyrocketed during the pandemic – but the times, they are a changin’. Our telemammography volume is up 22% for each of the past three years. We’ll read 130,000 studies this year alone which means more women are accessing the specialized care they need.  

Academic and Hospital-Based Mammography Embraces Teleradiology: Shedding 3 Preconceptions of the Past

Originally published by Michael Walter on Radiology Business

In 2020, a growing health system in the Northeast asked vRad for assistance. Like many providers around the country, all of its hospitals were struggling with physician shortages that largely stemmed from recruiting challenges.

Mammography stood out among the enterprise’s hardest-hit medical specialties. Its subspecialized breast radiologists were perilously overstretched.

And the health system had never considered “outsourcing” mammography an acceptable option.

Why Radiologists Must Continue to Think Pink

I love to watch the colors change in October, when pink is in full display during Breast Cancer Awareness month. With each hot-pink scarf, T-shirt and pair of football cleats I see, I’m reminded of the vital role radiologists have played – and continue to play – in combatting this disease.

Live Video Diagnostics | A New Connecting Point for Doctors, Patients in Fight Against Breast Cancer

At the foundation of everything we do at vRad is the goal of helping our clients provide the highest level of patient care regardless of the time and location.

When it comes to breast imaging, we’ve used telemammography for years to open doors for patients without previous access to mammography fellows and specialists. It’s not hyperbole to call it a life-saving development in patient care.

Knowledge Is Power | BRCA Gene Testing for Breast Cancer

Genetic testing empowers women in the fight against breast cancer.

One in eight women will develop breast cancer.

     

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