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At
St. Mary's, we believe in caring for the whole person – body,
mind, and spirit. As a woman, you know how important it is to keep
your good health – for yourself, for your family. The Breast
Health Program at St. Mary's offers personalized, expert care from
a multidisciplinary team of physicians and clinicians.
The Breast Health Program provides comprehensive education and treatment
services for breast health care. The program offers a clinical,
educational, psychosocial, and personal resource for learning more
about breast health and treating and living with breast cancer.
It coordinates access to all physician and specialty services, providing
comprehensive, personal, and expedient care.
Formerly
located within the Women's Health Pavilion, our new space at 95
Campus Avenue is dedicated solely to breast health. The bright
and spacious exam rooms and consulting area located right next door
to the Women's Pavilion, have the same familiar faces ready to help
women and men care for their breasts.
The program is also proud to bring two “firsts” to the
state of Maine; the Vacora vacuum assist biopsy system and
Zone Sonography.
Vacora is a new type of vacuum assist biopsy that can obtain samples
six to ten times larger than core needle biopsies. Larger samples
make it easier to test and may eliminate the need for future tests,
including surgical biopsies. The procedure is also more comfortable,
with an incision site so small there is no need for stitches.
Zone Sonography by Zonare is a new high-resolution, high efficiency
ultrasound available at the Breast Health Program. The compact,
portable unit focuses on fewer larger zones. By doing so, the device
is able to take in an immense amount of imaging information all
at once, creating technology that’s ten times faster than
conventional equipment. This new equipment purchase was made possible
by a grant from the Avon Foundation.
The
Avon Foundation was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women
and their families. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992,
and Avon has supported breast cancer programs in some 50 countries.
Through 2006, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade raised and awarded
more than $450,000,000 worldwide for access to care and finding
a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved.
Beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based
non-profit breast health programs, which together form a powerful
international network of research, medical, social service, and
community organizations. For more information, visit www.avonfoundation.org.
A Team Approach
A multidisciplinary approach is the cornerstone
of modern breast health care. The breast health program team includes:
- Primary care physicians
- Surgeons
- Specialty-trained breast surgeons
- Radiologists
- Medical oncologist
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- Radiation oncologist
- Breast health navigators
- Registered nurse therapist
- Physical and occupational therapists
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The
Breast Health Program at St. Mary's is supervised by a specially
trained breast surgeon, Marsha O'Rourke, MD. Her knowledge
and expertise bring a unique and valuable perspective to each patient's
case.
Diagnostic
Services
The breast health program, in conjunction with
the Women's Imaging Center at St. Mary's, offers the latest in diagnostic
technology.
Mammography
Call the Radiology Dept. at (207) 777-4049
Softer
Mammograms |
State-of-the-art
mammography units and a qualified team of radiologists
and ACR-certified technologists. An ACR-accredited facility,
the Mammography Suite combines high-tech diagnostics
with a comfortable education area, where patients watch
videotapes and meet with staff to learn about breast
health. Self-referrals are accepted.
Mammograms are now a lot gentler
with the use of the MammoPad. The MammoPad is
a soft foam pad that provides a cushion between you
and the mammography machine. Many women have said
this pad has made the vital exam less cold and more
comfortable. |
| High-Resolution Ultrasound |
Zone Sonography is a new high-resolution,
high efficiency ultrasound that focuses on fewer larger
"zones." This means the device is able
to take in an immense amount of imaging information
all at once, creating technology that's 10 times faster
than conventional equipment. |
| High-Definition Breast Ultrasound |
This non-invasive procedure
may reduce the need for breast biopsy in women by helping
to determine whether a mass is malignant or benign. |
| Vacuum Assist Biopsy |
Vacora is a new type of vacuum
assist biopsy. By using a vacuum to assist, we
are able to get samples six to ten times larger than
core needle biopsies with an incision so small there
is no need for stitches. Larger samples are easier
to test. Having better samples may also eliminate
the need for future tests, including surgical biopsies. |
| Mammotome/Stereotactic Biopsy |
With the guidance of stereotactic or ultrasound technology,
the mammotome extracts tissue from one small insertion
point. The procedure does the same type of diagnostic
testing as is done in a traditional biopsy. |
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The American Cancer
Society suggests women have annual mammograms starting at age 40.
If there is a history of breast cancer in your family, you should
begin those screenings at an earlier age. Your doctor can
help you determine when you should start.
Medical Oncology
Services
Through an affiliation with The
Regional Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, patients with
any stage of breast cancer can access the most current cancer treatments
available.
The Center includes oncology physician services and a full outpatient
chemotherapy treatment center.
Located within the Center
is the Cancer
Resource Center. There, patients, their families, and
the general public can learn more about different cancers, treatment
options, and support services. The Center is the first in
Maine to be supported by the American Cancer Society.
Psychosocial &
Rehabilitation Therapy |
Physical and occupational therapy
and treatment services for lymphedema. |
| Referrals |
Referrals to
- radiation oncology
- plastic surgery
- genetic testing
- outpatient counseling
Referrals to Look Good… Feel
Better and Reach to Recovery |
Support
Groups
Support groups led by
individuals with special training in women's issues.
Living
with Caner Support Group
Women Diagnosed
and Living with Cancer
Cancer Wellness
and Support Group
Young Adult Survivor
Services Group
Pip's (Pretty in
Pink) Breast Cancer Survivor's Club
I Can Cope
Look Good...Feel
Better
Reach to Recovery |
777-3744
786-3309
795-7118
or 795-2692
795-7118
755-0077
or 754-0747
795-7118
777-4090
777-4090 |
January
2007
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