Doctors Hospital of Manteca now provides a new product that dramatically eases the discomfort some women experience when they get a mammogram.   The FDA-cleared a foam cushion, called MammoPad®, which creates a softer, warmer mammogram.  

 “The discomfort some women feel during mammography compression is a reason women give for not getting their annual screening, says Linda Bouchard, M.D., a gynecologist at Doctors Hospital. “The breast cushion provides a soft, warm cushion for the breast during mammography. With less compression, women are more relaxed during the exam, and it is easier for the mammography technologists to get the best possible image.”  

The single-use, adhesive-backed foam cushion attaches to the compression plate of the mammography device. It was developed by Stanford University breast surgeon Gale Lebovic, M.D. The recyclable breast cushion is “invisible” to X-rays and does not interfere with the image quality of the mammogram.  

Despite the urgent need for regular mammograms, more than 35 percent of American women still do not get them. As stated, “mammography pain” is a  reason some women do not return for annual screening.

The new foam cushion could help reduce this trend. MammoPad ® has been clinically studied in both the U.S. and Sweden, where evaluations in more than 1,300 patients found approximately 70 percent experienced a significant reduction in pain when the cushion was used.  

“Early detection of breast cancer is crucial,” says Dr. Bouchard. “Mammograms identify lumps that a woman’s self-exam wouldn’t find until an average of 1.7 years later.  The breast cushion removes a barrier to women receiving this important procedure.”  

For referral to a physician at Doctors Hospital of Manteca who can perform this important screening, please 800.470.7229 or visit our website at www.doctorsmanteca.com.