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| Named by Self magazine as one of the 10 best breast centers
in the country. |
The Jacqueline M .Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center offers the
most advanced array of breast health services available anywhere
in New Jersey.
These services are delivered in an environment where visits are
coordinated and waiting times streamlined, making the process a
great deal more comfortable and less intimidating to women.
For most women, their major reason for visiting the breast center
is to have a mammogram.
Mammography is one of the best early-warning detection methods
for breast cancer. In fact, a mammogram can detect a breast lump
nearly two years before it can be felt and helps determine whether
it is benign or cancerous. It is to date, the only diagnostic tool
to have a proven positive impact on the death rate from breast cancer.
Studies have shown that women whose breast cancers are detected
by mammography as compared to physical examination of the breast
have 30 percent less chance of dying of the disease. In fact, most
experts attribute the recent decline in the national breast cancer
death rate to the increasing use of screening mammography and earlier
detection.
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast that uses extremely low
levels of radiation to detail images of the breast tissue. It is
a procedure with minimum discomfort that takes just several minutes
to perform. The technologist compresses the breast to allow for
a clear picture. One set of X-rays usually is taken - a side view
and a view from above. In case there is a small cancer in the breast,
it is very important to ensure that it is included on the x-ray
and that it is adequately imaged. In order to detect a small cancer,
the breast tissue must be pulled forward off the chest wall and
compressed by a flat compression plate. These maneuvers serve several
purposes, including:
- Ensuring that the deep breast tissue near the
chest wall is imaged.
- Separating overlapping structures in the breast
which enhances detection of an abnormality.
- Reducing the amount of
radiation absorbed by the breast tissue.
For
many women, these maneuvers cause only mild minor discomfort; for
others it can be painful. The new state-of-the-art mammography equipment
at The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center allows
better imaging of more breast tissue. This may result in more discomfort
than women have traditionally experienced during previous examinations.
Patients are encouraged to inform the technologist of any discomfort
during the examination, although we ask for their patience while
we try to give them the best mammography possible.
Monmouth Medical Center is certified by the American College of
Radiology, and the breast center's diagnostic suite contains the
most advanced mammography equipment.Monmouth was the first hospital
to offer the breaktrough technology of full-field digital mammography.
Routine screenings are offered to women without symptoms who seek
regular breast evaluation and diagnostic mammograms are given to
women with symptoms of benign breast disease or breast cancer.
Our dedicated breast radiologists are specialized in the technical
aspects involved in diagnosing breast problems, working alongside
a staff of highly trained mammography technicians -- all of whom
are sensitive to the needs and concerns of every woman when it comes
to comfort and privacy.
If you are scheduled for a screening mammogram, you will not receive
results at this time. For vast majority of patients, a letter reporting
normal results will be received in the mail within seven to 10 days.
If the breast imager feels it is necessary for you to have additional
films or tests, we will call you within three to five days.
The American College of Radiology and international experts in
breast imaging recommend that routine screening mammography studies
be interpreted in a controlled setting free of interruptions and
distractions -- an environment that promotes maximum accuracy and
efficiency.
At the Wilentz center, our dedicated breast imagers place a greater
importance on accuracy over speed -- on the quality of results,
rather than quantify of time it takes to provide them.
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Stereotactic breast biopsy is the latest technological advance
in breast disease diagnosis, used in place of surgery to determine
whether a mammographic abnormality is benign or malignant. The procedure
has a proven accuracy comparable to surgical biopsy and is minimally
invasive and virtually painless. The outpatient procedure involves
an X-ray-guided needle that is controlled by a computer to obtain
a tiny sampling of breast tissue. It usually takes about 30 minutes
to one hour to perform and is done under local anesthesia. Results
usually are available within 24 hours. The tiny incision resulting
from the procedure heals without a scar, and there is no recovery
period.
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center has been
offering this alternative to surgery to women since the center opened
in 1994. It has been successfully performed on thousand of women
by our experienced dedicated breast imagers.
Is stereotactic biopsy right for you? Call us to find out at
.
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The breast center also offers a full spectrum of other diagnostic
techniques, including high-definition ultrasound, aspiration (removing
fluid from a lump for lab analysis), high-definition surgical biopsy
(removing all or part of a lump for lab analysis), galactography
(radiography of the mammary ducts after injection of a special substance
into the duct system) and needle localizations with digital imaging
(for nonpalpable mammographic abnormalities), as well as radiologic
consultation for women with abnormal mammograms.
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The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center offers clinical
evaluations, consultations and second opinions for women with all
types of breast problems, as well as for women receiving their annual
check-up. Because the Breast Center aspires to make breast care
as convenient as possible for its patients, mammograms and consultations
are scheduled for the same visit, avoiding unnecessary travel to
multiple appointments. Appointments may be made with breast surgeons,
plastic surgeons, radiation oncologists, or medical oncologists
and all take place at the Breast Center.
Mammographic consultation with our dedicated radiologists is also
available. Women may schedule consultations for a second opinion
on mammograms performed at other locations or for further evaluation
of a new mammographic finding.
For further information, or to schedule an appointment, call us
at
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A chemotherapy suite provides a comfortable, soothing setting
to meet the special needs of women receiving outpatient chemotherapy
treatment. Three stations are available, as well as a private chemotherapy
room for women who prefer to be alone. Our oncology nurses are specially
trained and chemotherapy certified.
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