Today, September 18, Zagłębie Oncology Center (ZCO) in Dąbrowa Górnicza officially put into operation a modern digital mammography device, the purchase of which was supported by ArcelorMittal Poland and the Health Protection Foundation operating at the company (FOZ). The largest steel producer in Poland and FOZ have been supporting hospitals and medical facilities in the region for many years, which is why this spring they hand down the Dąbrowa Medical Foundation PLN 1,188,000 donation, which allowed for the purchase of modern equipment for the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
- We are constantly improving our processes of steel production and processing but we also attach great importance to keep our sensitivity to the needs of local communities and the ability to respond to them in an optimal way. We support our neighbours, local institutions, associations and foundations working for the benefit of residents, among whom are our employees and their families - Sanjay Samaddar emphasizes, chairman of ArcelorMittal Poland. – I am proud that we could contribute to greater availability of oncology equipment in the region. The amount donated is a quantifiable value but the health and lives of women who can be saved by this mammograph are priceless - he points out.
Increasing access to full breast diagnostics provided by the purchased mammograph is one of the priorities of the Zagłębie Oncology Center in Dąbrowa Górnicza.
- Our hospital has recently been qualified to the Breast Cancer Unit group, i.e. centers providing comprehensive treatment for breast cancer. This obliges us to pay special attention to good quality equipment that helps save women's lives. Unfortunately, the cost of such a modern mammograph is a huge challenge for facilities such as ours, which have great investment needs - notes Marzena Kula, director of ZCO. – The support provided by ArcelorMittal Poland is very valuable to us. We are glad that a company outside the medical industry is aware that this type of equipment is greatly needed. It will be able to serve a large number of patients, especially residents of Dąbrowa Górnicza - she adds.
The new mammograph which was put into use today will enable the examination of over 3,000 women annually. It is worth noting that this device equipped with the latest generation digital detector allows the examination to be adapted to the anatomical structure of the woman's breast. This not only results in greater safety of the examination but also optimizes the radiation dose.
- The purchase financed by ArcelorMittal Poland together with the Health Protection Foundation in Dąbrowa Górnicza is a response to the increasing needs and constantly increasing costs of repairs of operating equipment reported by the city and the hospital. A new mammograph had to be purchased urgently - explains Katarzyna Karcz-Mączka, chairman of the Health Protection Foundation. – I believe that the news about the opening of a new mammography laboratory will please not only patients treated oncologically at this facility. This is a chance for them to save their health and lives. Detecting cancer at an early stage of the disease allows for faster and more effective treatment. But it is also good news for their family members and everyone aware of how important prevention and quick diagnosis are - she sums up.
- As a woman who regularly undergoes mammography, I am very happy that both myself and other residents of Dąbrowa Górnicza and surrounding towns will be able to use the latest equipment for this key examination in the prevention of breast cancer. This will enable both detection and effective treatment of cancer at an early stage - emphasizes Bożena Borowiec, vice-president of Dąbrowa Górnicza.
The first patients could use the new equipment at the end of August. The device was installed in the mammography laboratory renovated in recent months.
