Solis Chief Physician extols the virtues of new technologies in breast cancer diagnosis

Parghi started his career at a small center in Kingwood in 2013 and expanded into a partnership with HCA Houston Healthcare.

“We got bigger and partnered up with Solis Mammography. Solis has a very valued relationship with HCA Houston Healthcare and that was one of the first centers where we became partners, and we saw what we can do by working together, ”he said.

According to Parghi, the partnership has now made Solis one of the leading providers of mammography services in the Houston area.

“I saw that on the field at Kingwood and then I was fortunate enough to see it at Conroe and North Cypress as well and so we saw that relationship really blossom,” the doctor said.

“The most important thing is that we’ve been able to take on so many patients and discover so many early cancers that it’s just so exciting to be a part of this process. “

According to Parghi, this is an exciting time in the field of breast cancer where technology and innovation is developing faster than breast cancer.

The biggest change in recent technology, said the marketing director, is the use of 3D imagery.

“Instead of looking at a (single) image, you can look through the stack of images. It allows us to catch smaller and smaller cancers with more confidence, ”he said.

2D technology uses two different photos at 90 degree angles. The new 3D technology is compiling a series of photos that show minor changes in the breast that can signal early forms of cancer.

“It’s light years ahead of 2D,” Parghi said confidently.

The doctor described it as an arc of images using low dose technology and because of that they get volumes more information.

Some patients wonder if an MRI or X-ray is better, but the doctor said neither is necessarily preferred over the other.

“The message is to do a good monthly self-exam and all women over 40 should take an annual exam,” he said.

With the additional photos, there were concerns about potentially high radiation.

“The radiation exposure you get from a mammogram is minimal compared to frightening radiation exposure,” he tells his patients.

Now every Solis mammography center is equipped with the technology.

In addition to 3D technology, clinics recently partnered with iCAD, “a world leader in advanced artificial intelligence-based breast cancer detection solutions that enable radiologists to detect cancers earlier while improving workflow. reading work, ”according to their website.

“They have sophisticated AI (artificial intelligence) algorithms that oversee our studies and help us guide our radiologists. And on top of that, we have fraternity trained breast imagers who are experts in the field. Every woman who comes to our centers receives 3D imagery, AI and a reading formed by the stock market, ”he said.

But, said Parghi, none of this is of any use if the women don’t come and take advantage of the technology.

Parghi said it was important for women to do their research and ask questions before embarking on the procedure.

“It’s not just the mammogram itself. They have to ask, do you do 3D imaging? Does a breast imager read this study? Do you have an AI platform? This is what separates the different mammograms – how they are performed and interpreted, ”he said.

Parghi said there were still challenges, especially with invasive lobular carcinomas that don’t always appear as a distinct mass.

“Breast cancer is very sneaky. It doesn’t always look the same. Sometimes he can come across as a mass standing out and it’s easy to see him from across the room. Unfortunately, often it is not like that. It could be a little wrinkle or a little distortion in the tissue of a very busy part of the breast, which can be very subtle, ”he said.

He stressed that early detection was the key to any cancer.

“Fortunately, our technology allows us to compete with cancer in an area where we can find it earlier and earlier,” he said enthusiastically.

It also becomes more comfortable for women when they have their mammograms.

“We have reduced the anxiety associated with our smart curved paddle that matches the contour of the chest,” he explained. “It gives us better pictures, and over 90% of (our) patients say it was less painful than they remembered. “

There is also the anxiety associated with waiting for results that could change a person’s life.

“We are proud to have our mammograms in one to two days and patients can directly hear their results if they sign up on our messaging platform,” said the doctor.

The discovery is not always easy.

“Some women have very complex and dense breast tissue that can appear lumpy and lumpy. We encourage you to get to know your breast tissue. If you feel a new bump that doesn’t hurt but is getting bigger, come visit us, ”he said.

In the field of treatment, no patient is the same as another, so they offer highly targeted therapies under development, new and very effective.

“We tailor the therapies that best suit the patient. Many of them are very skinny, and the surgeries are clean, and most of the surgeries take place on the same day. These patients describe it as a walk in the park, ”he said.

He reiterated that it only works if you have your mammogram and it is detected early.

Parghi also said it is important to know the family history, as it can determine whether the risk is higher or not.

When there is a diagnosis of cancer, it is no longer a death sentence.

“For us, this is good news. We catch a problem long before it becomes dangerous, ”he said optimistically.

There is a one in eight risk of developing breast cancer in a lifetime, the doctor said.

“If you’re a few months late or even a few years late on your mammogram, you can take the driver’s seat,” he said, but none of that works for those who don’t come for screening. .

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