Barco expands support of breast imaging workshops to train radiologists in early detection and diagnosis

Duluth, Ga., USA – 14 January 2014 – Barco, a worldwide leader in enterprise visualization, has teamed up with Mammography Education Inc. to supply its latest mammography display systems and dedicated support for hands-on mammography CME courses designed to teach radiologists how to detect early-phase breast cancers. Barco is a long-time sponsor of these workshops conducted by digital mammography pioneer László Tabár, MD as part of its ongoing commitment to digital breast imaging education.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the principal cause of death from cancer among women globally. However early detection and surgical removal in the early phase [of breast cancer] can decrease the rate of advanced cancers and reduce breast cancer death. Mammography screening trials provide proof that earlier detection and treatment accomplish this goal. Improving radiologists’ ability to discern subtle anomalies at the earliest stage of cancer increases the chances for successful treatment.

Educating radiologists to promote early breast cancer detection
László Tabár, MD, FACR (Hon) Course Director Professor Emeritus of Radiology and president of Mammography Education, Inc., is offering two workshops: “Hands-On Digital Mammography Screening” and “Multimodality Approach to Detection and Diagnosis of Breast Diseases” to train radiologists in the latest techniques. Prof. Tabár has conducted hundreds of digital mammography courses worldwide, offering a diverse curriculum of didactic sessions, hands-on training and case-based discussions to radiologists focused on mammography studies.

Barco regularly contributes products and support for the workshops, providing, Mammo Tomosynthesis 5MP andCoronis 5MP Mammo dual-head display systems as well as the Conference CloneView software tool for large-format image projection. The latest workshop series is the first collaboration with Prof. Tabár and Barco in the United States.

Early detection key to successful treatment
“We are providing clinicians with a live, hands-on experience to help them sharpen their reading techniques using the best digital mammography viewing stations on the market,” comments Prof. Tabár. “By equipping radiologists with the skills to find cancers at their earliest stages – and recognize the full spectrum of normal breast images – we hope to minimize call-back rates without missing malignancies. Their success relies on using the most advanced display technologies available. The Barco display systems present the brightest, most precise images and smoothest reading capabilities; they are always the first and only choice for our workshops.”

A past workshop attendee comments: “I think everyone who is involved in the diagnosis and therapy for breast malignancies should take this course. Superb intellectual clarity. Motivating. A polished presentation.”

A firm commitment to breast imaging education
“We are honored to provide our displays for Prof. Tabár as he pursues his important mission of training radiologists in the most effective breast cancer detection and diagnosis techniques,” comments Albert Xthona, Product Manager, Women’s Health for Barco. “Radiologists would like to detect cancers early when they are very small.  They benefit greatly from this opportunity to read these 240 selected cases, especially on our latest mammography displays, which provide the required high image quality and accuracy.”

Digital Mammography workshop schedule
Professor Tabár’s upcoming workshop series will be held at the Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona from January 20 - September 18, 2014. Click here for a complete schedule.

About László Tabár, MD, F.A.C.R. (Hon)
Professor Tabár is currently a Professor emeritus of Radiology at the University of Uppsala School of Medicine, Sweden. He is also Medical Director emeritus, Department of Mammography, Falun Central Hospital, Sweden and a Consultant Radiologist for numerous Comprehensive Breast Centers in the United States. In addition, Professor Tabár has served as a Project Leader, Randomized Controlled Breast Cancer Screening Project, Kopparberg County, Sweden, from 1977-present. His educational background consists of gaining his M.D., Faculty of Medicine, University of Pécs, Hungary; serving as a Resident in Radiology at the Radiologic Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pecs, Hungary; and successfully completing the Specialty Board Examination, Radiology, Hungary. More information can be found athttp://www.mammographyed.com/.

About Barco
Barco, a global technology company, designs and develops visualization products for a variety of selected professional markets. Barco has its own facilities for Sales & Marketing, Customer Support, R&D and Manufacturing in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Barco (NYSE Euronext Brussels: BAR) is active in more than 90 countries with about 3,900 employees worldwide. Barco posted sales of 1.156 billion euro in 2012.

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.