Regional Cancer Program at Grand View Hospital
Breast Care Services
GVH combines the support and convenience of a breast care coordinator with advanced technology in imaging and diagnostic testing.
Learning you have an abnormal finding in your breast can be worrisome, to say the least. Beyond coping with your feelings, you face the practical task of learning about testing options and scheduling appointments. The Breast Care Coordinator at Grand View Hospital makes the process as smooth as possible.
A registered nurse, our Breast Care Coordinator will:
- Expedite your journey through the diagnostic process
- Explain the various diagnostic tests your physician may order
- Provide you with information regarding your test results
- Provide support and education in regard to breast health issues
- Link you with second-opinion services upon request
GVH Screening and Diagnostic Testing Options
Using state-of-the-art digital equipment and technologies, Grand View offers patients the latest advances in breast care to detect breast abnormalities in the earliest stages – when treatment is most effective.
For more information, call the Breast Care Coordinator at 215-453-3223.
Breast-Care Services at Grand View Hospital
- A Breast Care Coordinator to expedite the diagnostic testing and treatment process.
- All Digital Mammography noted for superior clarity and the ability to offer better views of the breast. A significantly better screening method for some women.
- Breast Ultrasound useful in identifying some breast changes that can be felt but not seen on a mammogram.
- Breast MRI used as a second step in diagnosis. Appropriate for women at high risk of developing cancer or who cannot be imaged by mammogram.
- Stereotactic Biopsy to obtain tissue samples when the presence of a mass is identified. A less invasive option to traditional surgery.
- Convenient locations in Sellersville, Harleysville and Pennsburg. To schedule your appointment, call 215-453-4100.
Modern Technology...
Digital Mammography
Our full-field digital mammography system acquires images of the breast in near-real time. Compared with traditional mammography, digital is noted for superior clarity and the ability to offer better views of some parts of the breast.
A recent study by the National Cancer Institute involving nearly 50,000 women indicated digital mammography was significantly better in screening women who:
- Are under age 50, regardless of breast density
- Have extremely dense breasts, regardless of age
- Are pre- or peri-menopausal (defined as women who have had a last menstrual period within 12 months of their mammograms)
In tandem with digital mammography, Grand View Hospital features sophisticated software that has been shown to enhance diagnosis. Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) excels at detecting subtle changes that can lead to early diagnosis and more effective treatment of breast cancer.
In addition to digital mammography, Grand View offers other leading-edge diagnostic options:
Breast Ultrasound
If a lump is found in your breast, your doctor may order an ultrasound – a diagnostic test to identify solid or fluid-filled masses. Using sound waves to create a computer image of the inside of the breast, ultrasound is useful in identifying some breast changes that can be felt but not seen on a mammography. It can determine whether a mass is filled with fluid without invasive measures.
Breast MRI
A problem-solving tool often used as a second step in diagnosis, this advanced technology uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the breast. The non-invasive procedure determines what the inside of the breast looks like on multiple planes without having to do surgery or flatten the breast as in a mammogram. Breast MRI may be appropriate for patients who cannot be imaged by mammography or for women at high risk of developing breast cancer.
Stereotactic Biopsy
In the event your mammography indicates the presence of an abnormal concentration of tissue (mass or lesion) in your breast, a tissue sample would be obtained for study.Your surgeon may suggest traditional surgery, which is often used to obtain a large specimen to be analyzed. In many instances, a less invasive option called stereotactic biopsy may be used. A surgeon passes a hollow needle through the skin into the suspicious lesion with the help of special breast X-rays. A pathologist examines the removed specimen to determine whether it is harmful and makes a final diagnosis so that treatment planning can begin. Generally, stereotactic biopsy is faster and less painful than surgical removal of tissue and causes no scars or breast defects.
Stress-Reduction Services
Most women find the issues surrounding an abnormal screening result to be stressful. Grand View provides stress-reduction consultation and classes to help you cope with these and other sources of stress. Call Health Promotion & Wellness at 215-453-9676.
|
