Interview by Autumn Lau

One in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. More than 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer at the earliest stage survive their disease for at least 5 years compared to around 15% for women diagnosed with the most advanced stage of disease. Mammograms have been an essential tool for early detection and with advances in imaging technology, it is not the only one. Enter: QT Breast Health is a new breast imaging technology that rivals mammograms. There are five QT Centers in the world, and one is right here in Grand Rapids. 

QT Breast Health’s marketing director, Michaela Kalff answered some questions regarding the technology and their services. 

Women's LifeStyle Magazine: What is QT Breast Imaging?

Michaela Kalff: Ours is a new and innovative technology based on quantitative transmission ultrasound. The QTscan is the first imaging option to offer true 3D images with no harmful radiation and no compression.

WLM: How does it differ from a mammogram?

MK: While the QTscan is FDA-cleared for breast imaging, it is not a replacement for screening mammography. Mammography is the standard of care for initial breast screening, but no modality can see everything. That’s why healthcare providers may recommend that their patients get supplemental imaging, especially women with dense breasts. The QTscan is a completely different platform than anything else that’s available, and as such we provide different information that is complementary to mammography, for a better picture of one’s breast health. And for women that prefer a more frequent look at their breast health, perhaps because of some concern of family history, they can do so without the risk of radiation.

WLM: How can people make an appointment?

MK: QTbreasthealth has five imaging centers – Novato, Walnut Creek, and San Jose, CA, as well as Scottsdale, Arizona and Grand Rapids, Michigan. We encourage women to visit qtbreasthealth.com to learn more about the technology to determine if the QTscan is the right option for them and for the contact information for all of our centers.

For more information, visit  qtbreasthealth.com.