New Onsite Breast Services
At Jackson Healthcare for Women, we offer convenient, comprehensive and advanced breast services that provide patients with faster results, less visits to the hospital and lower costs.
For mammograms, we utilize Genius 3D Mammography, which when compared to 2D mammography, reduces callbacks by up to 40% and detects significantly more breast cancer.1-5 If breast abnormalities are detected during a Genius 3D mammogram, Jackson Healthcare for Women works in collaboration with onsite radiologists from Lakeland Radiologists, PA to immediately conduct an advanced breast study and additional follow-up testing such as biopsies to determine the next step in a patient’s care. Our unique collaboration with Lakeland Radiologists, PA also expedites the reading and sharing of mammogram, advanced breast study and biopsy results with patients. Most patients receive results and initial treatment protocols, if required, within 48 hours.
Other local breast care providers require these types of tests and studies be scheduled via an appointment at the hospital, which may take more time to secure and be more expensive because of extra facility charges and processing fees. With Jackson Healthcare for Women, patients will only need to seek care at the hospital if breast-conserving or mastectomy surgery is needed.
COMPREHENSIVE BREAST CARE
Frequency and depth of breast examinations will be determined through shared communication with your physician. At this time, no data exist regarding the ideal age at which to begin clinical breast examinations in the asymptomatic, low-risk patient.
Expert opinion suggests that the value of clinical breast examination and the ideal time to start such examinations is influenced by the patient’s age and known risk factors for breast cancer. The occurrence of breast cancer is rare before age 20 years and uncommon before age 30 years. Based on available evidence, the College, the American Cancer Society (ACS), and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommend that clinical breast examination be performed annually in women aged 40 years and older. Although the value of a screening clinical breast examination for women with a low prevalence of breast cancer (eg, women aged 20–39 years) is not clear, the College, ACS, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network continue to recommend clinical breast examination for these women every 1–3 years.
All three organizations also recommend the teaching of breast self-awareness and inquiry into medical history and family history of risk factors for breast disease. Breast self-awareness educates patients about the normal feel and appearance of their breasts. For many patients, breast self-awareness also may include performing breast self-examinations. Both methods have the potential to alert the patient to changes in her breast that should be reported immediately to her physician and may lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.