Intermountain Health Layton Hospital has completed a new mammography suite designed to expand access to breast cancer screening for the Davis County community. The hospital held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility on May 14.
New mammography suite features
The expanded suite will provide both screening and diagnostic mammograms, along with new ultrasound procedures intended to enhance breast cancer detection. According to Intermountain Layton Hospital, the facility has also added breast MRI services.
Streamlined patient care process
Lindsay Cutler, the imaging department manager at Intermountain Layton Hospital, said the hospital will collaborate with Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden to allow patients to receive initial screenings and diagnostics in Layton before proceeding to biopsies in Ogden if necessary.
Addressing low Utah screening rates
The expansion comes as Utah continues to face challenges with breast cancer screening rates. Data from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services shows that only 63.8% of Utah women aged 40 or older have had a mammogram in the last two years, which is below the national average of 68.2%.
Cutler noted that Utah ranks 44th in the nation for breast cancer screening rates, stating that the hospital aims to make these services as convenient as possible to help increase participation.
Importance of early detection
Medical professionals at the hospital emphasized the life-saving potential of early detection. Dr. David Peterson, a radiologist for women's and breast imaging at both Layton and McKay-Dee hospitals, said that having initial screenings and diagnostics closer to where Davis County residents live is significant.
Responding to community healthcare needs
Kristy Giles, the chief nursing officer and operations officer at Intermountain Layton Hospital, noted that the new services respond to community needs. She shared that her own mother was a three-time breast cancer survivor because a mammogram helped catch the disease early.
Scheduling and advanced imaging technology
The imaging services at Layton Hospital are available for scheduling via phone or online. The department utilizes advanced technology to provide detailed views of organs and tissues to support early detection and accurate diagnosis.
