Ultrasounds maybe the answer for early cancer detection
Courtesy photo This ultrasound image shows a tumor being detected in the bottom right portion of a person’s bladder. Ultrasound is a useful tool for the early detection of cancer.
Recent cancer statistics in Shoshone County are fairly alarming, but for Shoshone Medical Center (SMC) ultrasound technician Kris Dyson, those statistics could improve if locals would utilize a local tool.
According to information from www.Cancer.Gov, Shoshone County is the second highest county in terms of new cases of cancer each year.
Even more alarming than that is the fact that Shoshone County is sustaining that number with only a slight increase each year while Gem County (the highest county in the state) is falling and should be lower than Shoshone County within the next 2-3 years.
SMC has been working very hard the last few years to bring new and top of the line care to residents in Shoshone County in a variety of ways.
The radiology department offers a complete lineup of tools to help see things below the surface of our skin and this is how Dyson believes that she, and SMC as a whole, can help lower the number of cancer cases in the county and help those who think they may be at risk.
“Ultrasound is a low-cost tool that can help find cancer early,” Dyson said. “It is not just for seeing babies. Diagnostic ultrasound is used to look at lumps anywhere on or inside of the body. This is painless and there is no radiation exposure.”
Some of the more prevalent cancers that are detected with ultrasound are thyroid, lymphoma, pancreatic, liver, kidney, breast, testicular and ovarian.
Should cancer be assumed from the ultrasound, doctors will proceed as needed, but the earlier the detection is often a key point in determining the rate of survival.
“With the average ultrasound costing less than other tests (before any sort of insurance) this really is a more affordable way to ensure that the lump you may have noticed or that new spot that you haven’t seen before isn’t potentially life threatening,” Dyson said. “If you look at the Shoshone County cancer profile statistics website it is alarming how high the cancer rate is in Shoshone County as compared to other counties in the state of Idaho. Being proactive for your health is the key to detect cancer early for a better outcome.”
Dyson also wants people to realize that people have access to these things here at SMC, and that they don’t have to leave the county to make sure that they get the help they need and to not wait until it’s too late.
“A lot of people simply don’t realize what we have to offer here,” Dyson said. “Cancer does not discriminate, be proactive to protect your health.”