Muscogee (Creek) Nation Unveils New 3D Mammography Service In Okemah

A new mammogram machine in Okemah is bringing 3D technology with faster results.

The new 3D mammography service is at the Okemah Creek Nation Community Hospital. 

Muscogee Creek Nation said the new means more women in rural areas are able to get the same services they would get in Tulsa or Oklahoma City without having to drive there.

Experts said patients are exposed to radiation for a shorter amount of time than compared to using a 2D machine. 

"In the past we've had to call people back because a radiologist might see something in just one image. Well now that radiologist has several images that they can look through. Where they might see it they're going to look through the rest of those images and go 'oh wait I think this is okay. I don't think that we need to call them back for this," said Sunny Hammer.

Hammer is the Radiologist Supervisor at the Muscogee Creek Nation Community Hospital in Okemah. She said the new machine takes 15 images in just four seconds. 

Shawn Terry is the Secretary of Health for the Muscogee Creek Nation and said breast cancer incident rates for Native American women is higher than women of other ethnicities.

He said the new 3D machine is going to help save lives by detecting breast cancer early.

"Rural areas have really never provided the access to early detection so it's extremely important," said Terry.