Breast Cancer

When it comes to breast cancer, early detection is vital. The Women’s Center at Saint Vincent is not only an authority in the early diagnosis of breast cancer, but an innovator in streamlining the process from mammography to biopsy to surgery when needed…all designed to reduce the stress of waiting for women coping with breast cancer issues.

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 computeraided detection system for screening mammography. This technology enhances mammography, enabling detection of breast cancer up to two years earlier.

Scheduling your 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.

Minimally Invasive Breast Biopsy
If you have an abnormal mammogram and need a breast biopsy, fears about cancer and the procedure are often overwhelming. 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. And our fast turnaround of results and streamlined scheduling of biopsies and surgery when needed are the fastest in the region.

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

Breast Reconstruction
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.
For additional information, contact Gunnar Bergqvist, MD,
at 814/480-8220.

Breast Health Navigator
When you receive services at the Saint Vincent Women’s Center for a mammogram, you have the reassurance of knowing that, should there be a suspicious finding, you will benefit from the services of the Breast Health Nurse Navigator. The navigator helps guide you from 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.