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BREAST HEALTH CENTER

BROOKWOOD DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS

BREAST HEALTH CENTER

The Breast Health Center was created for a single purpose: to help women care for their breasts. In order to meet the needs a woman may have in caring for her breasts, we knew it was necessary to provide a comprehensive center offering a wide range of services including preventative, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation.

The American Cancer Society estimates that one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. At the Breast Health Center, we would like to help during that time of breast cancer. We offer education for newly diagnosed patients, support and care throughout the treatment period and after. Our goal is to help make this difficult time in your life a little easier.

Education is one of the keys to risk reduction, early detection and rehabilitation of breast cancer and we have made it an essential part of the Breast Health Center. Two of our main educational programs at the Breast Health Center are L.I.F.E., a breast self-exam program, and our breast cancer high-risk assessment. We also offer group classes and one-to-one educational sessions that cover more than 150 topics and issues surrounding breast health care.

What is a mammogram?

The mammogram, which is a low-dose x-ray of the breast, continues to be one of the best tests available to detect possible problems, including breast cancer. Mammography can often detect lumps in the breast even before they can be felt during a routine breast exam.

The American Cancer Society has established guidelines for mammograms, they are:

Get a baseline screening mammogram between ages 35-40 so that changes in later screenings may be more evident. Some physicians recommend a baseline screening mammogram at an earlier age.
Beginning at age 40, a screening mammogram should be obtained each year.
If you have a first-degree relative (mother or sister) who has had breast cancer, your first mammogram and future screenings may begin at a younger age).

About our mammography services

The Women's Diagnostic Center (located in Brookwood Women's Medical Center)is located conveniently within the hospital. It is American College of Radiology accredited. Only certified female technologists perform the mammograms

Surgical Evaluation and Follow Up

Whether you are facing a breast biopsy or breast cancer surgery, we at the Breast Health Center would like to help. If you need assistance in finding a Breast Surgeon, please contact our physician referral line at 1-888-BROOKWOOD or 877-8800. If you are looking for information about breast surgery, please contact our Breast Health Center at 877-5298

Breast Cancer Resources

Breast cancer can be a very difficult diagnosis to face. At the Breast Health Center, we would like to help during this difficult time. If you have questions or concerns, and you would like to talk with someone, our Breast Care Coordinator is available to you.Breast Cancer High Risk Assessment

Do you have significant fears or concerns about breast cancer? Have you seen frequent news headlines about breast cancer risk? Are you confused or misinformed about your own risk? For women who believe they are at risk for breast cancer the fear may be very real. That's why Breast Health Center has developed a breast cancer risk assessment clinic. Through education and a personal risk assessment, our goals are to assist women in dealing with their fears of developing breast cancer, to put their risk in perspective and to develop an individual plan of breast health care, tailored to each woman's risk.

To participate in a Breast Cancer High Risk Assessment, you must have a personal physician for follow up purposes. When you come to our Breast Health Center for your scheduled screening, our Breast Care Coordinator, who is a Registered Nurse, will evaluate your risk factors and complete a risk assessment based on your personal information. She will explain to you her evaluation of risk based on the Gail Model Risk Assessment, instruct you on breast self-exam and discuss your individual risk and how to modify your risk. Each assessment usually takes about 30 minutes. The cost is $15.00, payable at the time of your visit, cash or check only, no insurance billed.

For women who already know that they are at high risk for breast cancer, there is a more in-depth assessment available. We recommend that you discuss your concerns first with your physicians but please feel free to contact us for information about your risk.

If you are interested in the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Clinic, you may call 1-888-BROOKWOOD to schedule your appointment with our Breast Care Coordinator or you may register on line. If you choose to register on line, you will be contacted by a Breast Health representative to schedule your appointment. Other resources available for information about breast cancer are:

The American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org
The National Cancer Institute at www.nci.nih.gov
The Susan G. Komen Foundation at www.komen.com

BROOKWOOD OUTPATIENT DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS

Brookwood Diagnostic Centers offer imaging services at 3 convenient outpatient locations. Each facility is staffed with experienced personnel and registered technologists who are focused on meeting the needs of the physician and the patient.