iCAD and the Defense Supply Center announced last week that they will supply more than 400 federal healthcare facilities with CAD mammography systems. VA centers and Department of Defense hospitals will be among the facilities receiving the updated technology.
The need for new technology comes with the increase in the number of women serving in the armed forces. In 2009 the Veteran’s Administration reported that there were 1.8 million female veterans. The CAD technology that will be added to the medical facilities is part of the Women’s Comprehensive Healthcare Implementation Plan. The plan is designed to provide complete primary health care for all female veterans.
iCad is a major player in the advanced image analysis industry and their technology leads the way in the early detection of cancer. The CAD (Computer-Aided Detection) technology that will enhance the mammogram machines utilizes advanced algorithms to evaluate the images; this allows radiologists to better assess suspicious areas.
Ken Ferry, President and CEO of iCAD, is confident that the addition of his technology will allow the VA and the Department of Defense hospitals to identify breast cancer in its earliest stages in women soldiers and veterans.
In addition to breast cancer, veterans are at risk for other illnesses. One such illness is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer than attacks the lining of the stomach, heart or lungs after asbestos exposure. Veterans, especially those who served in the navy, are prone to the fatal cancer.
Although men are more often diagnosed with asbestos-related disease, women, particularly veterans, are also at risk. Like many cancers, including breast cancer, early detection is crucial in treating mesothelioma. And because there is no cure for the disease the sooner the cancer is diagnosed the sooner patients can begin palliative treatments.
The influx of new technology to VA hospitals and the new healthcare plan for female veterans should allow medical professionals to better treat women veterans suffering from all diseases and keep active women soldiers in optimal health.
For more information about the many health risks faced by vets and the military community, check out our veteran healing resources webpage. You can also find us on Twitter: @veteransblog, and on Facebook.
