OREANDA-NEWS. September 23, 2016. Arizona Oncology, one of the largest medical groups in Arizona devoted to cancer care and a practice in The US Oncology Network, is the first in Arizona to utilize the latest technology and advancement in the early detection of cervical cancer and pre-cancers. The practice has implemented the DYSIS® Advanced Cervical Imaging System. This advanced digital colposcope, an instrument for examining the cervix, has computer-aided mapping technology and can enhance a doctor’s ability to diagnose and manage cervical neoplasia, precancerous cells, by detecting changes in a woman’s cervix after an abnormal Pap smear.

More than 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in the U.S., and many of those women will be among the thousands participating in local health and fitness events across the country on Wednesday, September 28th. One goal of the National Women’s Health and Fitness Day is to encourage women to take control of their health and to gather information to help them make smart choices related to their health. Arizona Oncology adopted the DYSIS colposcope technology to not only assist physicians in identifying pre-cancerous or cancerous cells on the cervix, but to also help women understand their colposcopy exam through high-resolution imagery and easy-to-read color-coded maps of the cervix provided by DYSIS technology.

“The new DYSIS technology helps us better pinpoint questionable areas on the cervix that may need biopsy,” said Dr. Mike Janicek, gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology. “We can share images and the color-coded maps with women in real time immediately following the exam. We can provide color digital or paper copies of the exam images for patients and their referring providers. Our goal is have our patients feel reassured and involved in their healthcare when having a DYSIS colposcopy exam, and referring doctors can feel more involved in the evaluation process as well.”

Colposcopy, which can be subjective and has remained unchanged for decades, is an exam performed after a woman has an abnormal Pap smear. DYSIS has advanced the standard colposcopy technique by using digital imaging technology that assists physicians in detecting changes in a woman’s cervix and helping guide biopsy selection to determine the best course of treatment to prevent cervical cancer.

“We are excited to be working with Arizona Oncology, a distinguished oncology specialty group that recognizes the importance of advancing today’s cervical screening technology,” said Kim Stebbings, U.S. president of DYSIS Medical. “By standardizing the currently subjective colposcopy procedure, we can help improve care for women and help them take control of their health.”

About Arizona Oncology

Arizona Oncology is one of the largest medical groups in Arizona. With more than 75 practicing physicians devoted exclusively to providing comprehensive, compassionate and high-quality cancer care, Arizona Oncology specializes in Medical, Gynecologic, and Radiation Oncology, Hematology, Stem Cell Transplant, Research, Genetic Risk Assessment and patient ancillary programs. The physicians and their staff treat patients in many communities throughout the state including: Chandler, Deer Valley, Estrella, Flagstaff, Glendale, Green Valley, Nogales, Peoria, Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Safford, Scottsdale, Sedona, and Tucson.

Arizona Oncology believes it is beneficial to provide cancer therapies in a community setting, close to patients' homes and support systems. The physicians are supported by a talented clinical team sensitive to the needs of cancer patients and their caregivers. For more information, visit ArizonaOncology.com.

Arizona Oncology is united in healing with The US Oncology Network, one of the nation’s largest networks of integrated community-based oncology practices dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based cancer care. As an affiliate of The US Oncology Network, Arizona Oncology is united with more than 1,000 physicians nationwide. Arizona Oncology participates in clinical trials through US Oncology Research, which has played a role in more than 60 FDA-approved cancer therapies, nearly one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.

About DYSIS Medical

DYSIS Medical has its global headquarters in Edinburgh and US Headquarters in Tampa, FL. The company is committed to saving lives through the early detection and diagnosis of disease using biophotonic innovations. It aims to be the global leader in automated optical molecular imaging technologies for medical diagnostic and screening applications. For more information, please visit: www.abnormalpapsmear.com or call 844-DYSISMED.

About the DYSIS colposcope

The DYSIS colposcope differs from traditional colposcopes by measuring the cervical epithelium automatically using Dynamic Spectral Imaging and producing a map of the cervix, which assists the clinician with assessing the cervix, identifying biopsy locations and performing treatment if needed.

About cervical cancer

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer for women and the seventh most common cancer overall. While it is the only entirely preventable cancer, approximately half a million women are diagnosed with the disease every year.