Breast Cancer

“I felt like I was so safe and secure there with everyone doing their work so efficiently, but still with such a kind human touch. I received excellent care from each and every person I encountered, from admissions to discharge and even home health.” — Angeline, Breast Cancer Survivor

As a physician, you know the importance of early detection. The Women’s Center at Saint Vincent is a regional leader in not only the diagnosis of breast cancer, but in its early detection.

Computer-aided Detection (CAD)
Saint Vincent is the only facility in the region to offer a revolutionary new technology called the R2 ImageChecker®. It’s the first FDA-approved computer-aided detection system for screening mammography. This technology enhances mammography enabling detection of breast cancer up to two years earlier.

Scheduling your patient’s annual mammogram is one of the most important things you can do for lifesaving early detection of breast cancer. The next best thing is scheduling the mammogram at the Saint Vincent Women’s Center, where radiologists utilize
state-of-the-art computer technology to read your patient’s mammogram more accurately than anywhere else in the region.

Saint Vincent is utilizing a revolutionary new technology called R2 ImageChecker. It’s the first FDA-approved computer-aided detection system for screening mammography. Think of it as kind of a spell checker for medical images. It digitizes the mammogram, scans it for any abnormalities and places a marker on anything it finds. Often, it locates an abnormality so small, it is barely visible to the human eye.

• Proprietary software acts as a 2nd observer
• Scalable to multiple imaging modalities
• Potential to catch cancers up to 2 years earlier
• Earlier detection of up to 23.4% of cancers
• No significant impact on the recall rate or positive predictive value for biopsy

To date, over four million women have had their mammograms processed by the ImageChecker. Ten peer review studies have been published reporting its effectiveness. This new technology, plus the fast turnaround of results, highly experienced staff, and breast navigation services, makes Saint Vincent an excellent choice for mammography

The Procedure
The R2 ImageChecker® digitizes the mammogram, scans it for any abnormalities, and places a marker on anything it finds. Often, it locates an abnormality so small it is barely visible to the human eye. The unit works as a second set of eyes to spot the smallest abnormalities and helps detect breast cancer as early as possible. Mammograms taken at the Saint Vincent Outpatient Center at Union City and Westfield Memorial Hospital are also read using Saint Vincent’s CAD technology.

According to the National Institutes of Health, if breast cancer is identified early, when it is confined to the duct or local area of the breast, the patient’s chances for survival are dramatically higher.

CAD Patient Benefits:

• Technology that accurately pinpoints breast cancer up to two years earlier than any other system available in the region
• Better visualization of breast tissue
• Improved imaging in dense breast tissue

"As women, we have to be the voice for our own bodies. Saint Vincent hears that voice. It offers a very holistic approach to medicine." - Chrystal, Breast Cancer Survivor

Minimally Invasive Breast Biopsy
If a patient has an abnormal mammogram and needs a breast biopsy, fears about cancer and the procedure are real. Minimally invasive procedures available at Saint Vincent are proven to minimize the emotional and physical impact of breast biopsy. And Saint Vincent is the only hospital in the area where radiologists are performing the procedure…standard practice in major cancer centers across the nation.

Saint Vincent follows the national standard of care, which is to attempt minimally invasive biopsies in most cases, before open surgical biopsies.

Minimally Invasive Breast Biopsy Patient Benefits:

• Little to no scarring
• Quick procedure – about 30 minutes
• High level of accuracy
• Lower complication rate
• Lower patient cost

The Procedure
Minimally invasive breast biopsies are outpatient procedures. Physicians perform the biopsy while the patient is under local anesthesia. They make only a small skin nick and use a needle to collect the breast tissue in question. The biopsy is completed in about 30 minutes, and there is little to no external or internal scarring. The procedure has a high level of accuracy, a low potential for complications, and is significantly less costly to the patient. Open surgical biopsy may be necessary only if minimally invasive biopsy does not provide the answers physicians need. Saint Vincent follows the national standard of care, which is to attempt minimally invasive biopsies in most cases, before open surgical biopsies.

For More Information
Physicians: To refer a patient, contact Drs. Haupt and Jeyapalan directly at 814/454-1142.
Patients: To learn more, talk to your family physician or call Saint Vincent Ask-A-Nurse at 814/452-5500 or 800/326-8080.

Reconstruction
As a physician, you know that restoring your patients to a sense of normalcy is a vital component of healing. The breast surgeons at the Saint Vincent Cancer Care Center work with patients and plastic surgeons to plan the best treatment options including reconstruction. Saint Vincent Cancer Care Center offers advanced techniques in breast reconstruction including trans flap, free tissue grafts as well as new, investigational gel implants for breast reconstruction.

Breast Health Patient Navigator
When you refer a patient to the Saint Vincent Women’s Center for a mammogram, you have the reassurance of knowing that, should there be a suspicious finding, the patient will benefit from the services of the Breast Health Nurse Navigator. The navigator helps guide women from their screening mammogram through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from breast cancer.

The navigation program is supported by a grant from the Pittsburgh affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Call 814/452-7765 to speak to the breast health navigator.

Body and Soul Outreach
For many women, cultural and economic barriers can be a barrier to receiving timely and regular mammography. The Saint Vincent Women’s Center is the major motivating force in the region working to tear down this barrier. The Saint Vincent Body & Soul Outreach program, designed to reach at-risk women in Erie County through educational and motivational programming in their own churches and community centers, has been effective in connecting women with potentially life-saving mammography services. The program is funded by a grant from the Pittsburgh affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.