Women in Delaware County and surrounding communities have a new weapon in their fight against breast disease: The Center for Breast Health, located at Delaware County Memorial Hospital.

The Center for Breast Health is a resource for comprehensive breast health care. Patients can be seen at the center for a range of concerns, including breast lumps, abnormal mammograms, nipple discharge, or breast pain. Also, those who have just been diagnosed with breast cancer can seek a second opinion. People with a family history of, or other risk factors for breast cancer can come to the center for evaluation or follow-up care.

“Our goal at the Center for Breast Health is to provide quality, specialized care in a comforting and professional environment,” says Linda S. Callans, M.D., director of the Center for Breast Health and a DCMH breast surgeon. “Through a coordinated approach, we can facilitate the patient’s care quickly, which helps to minimize anxiety.”

Indeed, should a woman need additional imaging or image-guided biopsy, the Woman’s Diagnostic Center is located just steps away, on the lower level of the DCMH Medical Office Building. Also, if a patient is diagnosed with breast cancer, they will be given priority status for access to state-of-the-art radiation therapy and medical oncology services provided by physicians specially trained in breast cancer.

Rachelle Lanciano, M.D., chair of the Radiation Oncology Department at DCMH, says that the coordination of care via a nurse navigator will be a tremendous asset to the Center for Breast Health patients. “The navigator will help the patient through the system from their initial mammogram, to their consultation with the surgeon, and if needed, consultations with the radiation and medical oncologists. The process will be almost automated for them and will be completed quicker,” Dr. Lanciano says. “As a result, the burden will be taken off the patient, the diagnosis can be made faster, and treatment can be initiated sooner, which will hopefully help improve the patient’s outcome. This navigator will enhance our already strong multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer care.” 

John Sprandio, M.D., medical director of the Delaware County Regional Cancer Center and chief of the Section of Hematology/Oncology at DCMH, agrees. “After the diagnosis is made, the patient navigator will arrange for prompt medical oncology and radiation oncology evaluation,” he says. “The idea is that these appointments will be expedited quickly, and the patient will be discussed at the weekly Breast Cancer Panel at the time of their diagnosis. The level of coordination of care at DCMH between the radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist, we believe, is unmatched. All participants in the ‘new patient’ conferences are fully engaged to insure proper recommendations are followed and appropriate therapy is planned in a timely fashion.”

A Full Range of Services

No matter what your breast concern may be, staff at the Center for Breast Health at DCMH can help determine if there is a problem and the best method for treatment.

Some of the comprehensive services offered include:

• Evaluation of all types of breast concerns by a breast specialist with coordination of care
• Diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant breast lesions
• Minimally invasive breast biopsy
• Onsite ultrasound evaluation of breast abnormalities
• Patient education, risk assessment and counseling about breast cancer prevention and early detection
• Genetic counseling for those with a family-history risk for developing cancer.

And, should it ever be needed, Crozer-Keystone has access to more than 100 cancer treatment and prevention clinical trials through its partnership with Fox Chase Cancer Center, one of the largest hospitals in the country devoted entirely to cancer care. Fox Chase maintains an international reputation for excellence in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research. We also participate in national, multi-institutional clinical trials through organizations such as RTOG, ACSOG, and the Clinical Trial Support Unit.

Access to Diagnostic Testing

The DCMH Woman’s Diagnostic Center, located just one floor beneath the Center for Breast Health, offers the latest in breast diagnostic imaging technology, including:

• Screening and Diagnostic Mammography
• Breast Ultrasound
• Breast MRI
• Stereotactic and Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy

Thomas DiLiberto, D.O., chairman of the Department of Radiology at DCMH, comments that DCMH “has experienced mammographers and state-of-the-art equipment. This enables us to perform all the necessary testing and make a diagnosis at one time and from one location.”

The Center for Breast Health accepts all major insurance plans. For more information or to make an appointment, call (610) 394-1840.