The Breast Care Center

When a breast cancer diagnosis is made, the Breast Care Center offers patients the advantage of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, involving a team of experts representing specialties in oncology, radiology and surgery.

Included in the patient team is an oncology nurse, who will answer questions and address concerns in a caring, professional manner. Support services and resources, including American Cancer Society support groups and the Reach to Recovery and Look Good, Feel Better programs complete the circle of care.

Another program for patients, Coping with Cancer, is offered by the The Mind/Body Institute for Clinical Wellness. The program focuses on reducing the physical symptoms of cancer and the side effects of treatment by addressing the physical, psychological and nutritional needs of cancer patients.

The Breast Care Center provides a full range of the most advanced screening and diagnostic services available today, including: 

Mammography

The Center's state-of-the-art mammography system uses low-level X-rays to locate breast lumps and abnormalities long before they can be felt by breast self-exam.

Breast ultrasound

Using high-frequency sound waves, breast ultrasound can determine whether a lesion is a solid tumor or a fluid-filled cyst. It is especially useful in evaluating suspicious areas in the denser breast tissue of younger women. Using the latest in ultrasound technology, radiologists can detect tumors as small as 2 to 3 millimeters in diameter.

Mammotome® stereotactic biopsy

If a biopsy is required, Mammotome® stereotactic biopsy is available. This innovative non-surgical biopsy method uses a computer-guided needle to remove a breast tissue sample. For most women, it's an outpatient procedure.

Breast ultrasound-guided needle biopsy

This technique may also be used to obtain tissue samples from areas where calcifications are seen on mammography. The radiologist uses the ultrasound to guide the needle for increased precision in removing the tissue sample.

Breast ductogram

This procedure can pinpoint defects in breast ducts. A dye is discharged into the duct to expose possible defects when the breast is X-rayed.