Breast Health Center
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. The key to survival is early detection through monthly self exams and annual mammography.
However, a woman's fears about breast health procedures may determine whether or not she will have routine mammograms. The Breast Health Center responds to these fears by offering an all-female staff in a private, more personal and comfortable setting. Plus, Baptist has eliminated the anxiety of waiting for results. With an on-site, dedicated radiologist, patients at the Baptist Breast Health Center receive their results before they leave.*
In addition, the Breast Health Center's digital mammography equipment includes the Mammopad™, foam cushioning that has been clinically proven to reduce the discomfort or pain women may experience during a mammogram.
Baptist uses the ImageChecker® System, the first FDA approved Computer Aided Detection (CAD) System for breast imaging. ImageChecker assists radiologists during their review of screening mammograms by identifying areas on the mammogram that contain features associated with cancer that may warrant a second review.
*Radiologist must have prior films at the time of your appointment.
The Breast Health Specialist
When a woman examines her breasts monthly, she is more likely to detect small cancers at an earlier stage. Baptist's Breast Health Specialist teaches women proper breast self-exam techniques and offers genetic education. She also provides education to help women know what to expect before procedures, and before and after surgery.
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
For patients requiring a biopsy to evaluate the possibility of breast cancer, a technique called minimally-invasive stereotactic breast biopsy may provide an answer without the need for surgery. This procedure, done only at the recommendation of a surgeon, involves placing a specialized biopsy needle in the suspicious area using x-ray guidance. The stereotactic procedure is less painful and less expensive than traditional surgical biopsy and the patient has a shorter recovery time with less scarring. A follow-up surgical biopsy may be necessary if there is a malignant, suspicious or conflicting finding obtained stereotactically. And, in some cases, physicians may recommend surgical biopsy initially.
In December 2009, Baptist Breast Health Center was awarded a three-year term of accreditation in Stereotactic Breast Biopsy as the result of a recent survey by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
The ACR, headquartered in Reston, Va., awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review evaluation of the practice. Evaluations are conducted by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. They assess the qualifications of the personnel and the adequacy of facility equipment. The surveyors report their findings to the ACR’s Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report.
The ACR is a national organization serving more than 32,000 diagnostic and interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, and nuclear medicine and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.
Sentinel Node Mapping
Intraoperative lymphatic mapping is another innovative diagnostic technique for breast cancer patients. This procedure checks for the presence of cancer of the lymph nodes by examining the sentinel node. If the sentinel node biopsy determines that there is no cancer, the patient may be spared the added stress of a larger operation. Sentinel node procedures have also been shown to leave the patient with fewer side effects and shorter recovery times.
Breast Health Center services include digital technology for the following:
- Screening mammography
- Low cost screening mammogram program :: Learn about this program
- Diagnostic mammography
- Stereotactic breast biopsy (requires surgical consult prior to scheduling)
- Breast Health Specialist consultation
- Lymphedema treatment program
- Mammosite™ radiation therapy
- Genetic education and testing
- Breast self-exam instruction by a registered nurse
- Facility accredited by The American College of Radiology and The Food and Drug Administration
- Mammogram performed by a registered radiological technologist with certification in advanced mammography
- Interpretation by a board certified radiologist
- Referral for follow-up services as indicated
Join our breast cancer blog: www.fightingbreastcancer.wordpress.com
Listen to our Women's Health Inside Out Podcast Series on Breast Cancer:
Baptist Breast Health Center is located on the ground floor of The Colonnades Medical Office Building
1225 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39202
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 601-973-3180
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Limited evening appointments are available upon request for screening mammograms.
