Breast Care
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Schedule an appointment at ISMI for your breast care needs. We offer breast cancer risk assessment, breast cancer screening, breast ultrasound and breast procedures including breast aspiration for breast abscesses and biopsies of suspicious masses.
There are many advantages to having your breast procedures performed at ISMI
- There is no wait time
- No referral is needed for procedures; they can be done immediately after diagnosis
- All procedures are performed by specialists under ultrasound guidance
- We use state-of-the-art technology
- You will meet with specialist immediately after your breast ultrasound for immediate diagnosis
- You will be able to recover after your procedure in our serene and quiet “relaxation room” alone or accompanied by your loved ones, before leaving ISMI
- You do not need a referral for ISMI’s Risk Assessment Services. Simply contact us or book an appointment.
You do not need a referral for ISMI’s Risk Assessment Services.
Simply contact us or book an appointment.
SERVICES:
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
At ISMI, we offer you individualized risk assessment followed by patient-specific recommendations and imaging surveillance, if you are either at high-risk for or highly concerned about breast cancer.
The average woman has a 12% risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. For some women, however, this risk can increase to 85%. “For these women,
individualized risk assessment, annual surveillance, and risk reducing strategies can markedly decrease the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer (1).”
Please note that this assessment does NOT replace a clinical consultation with a physician, including your family doctor or specialist physician. Any decision on further measures remains an individual choice based upon a physician-patient consultation and shared decision making between the patient and the treating physician. At ISMI, we remain dedicated to “Each Patient All the Way” and will assist you in connecting with and being cared for by one of our trusted expert physicians.
Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer screening tries to find tumors before symptoms begin, at their earliest and most treatable stage. In breast cancer screening, a woman who has no igns or symptoms of breast cancer undergoes:
– a clinical breast examination by a doctor or other health professional, and / or
– mammography and / or
– supplemental tests such as ultrasound and MRI
“Although guidelines differ, major regulatory bodies agree that annual screening mammography starting at age 40 saves lives” (1). Women at high risk for breast cancer should follow different guidelines”, with screening sometimes starting as early as age 25.
At ISMI, our fellowship-trained radiologist(s) can help you determine the screening strategy that fits your specific risk and needs.
Breast Ultrasound
Breast ultrasound creates pictures of the inside of breast using sound waves. Breast ultrasound can help better demonstrate images of areas of the breast that may be difficult to see with mammography.
Breast ultrasound has many advantages. They are:
– non-invasive (no needles or injections)
– almost never painful
– widely available, easy-to-use and less expensive than some other methods
– extremely safe as it does not use any ionizing radiation
– helpful in detecting lesions in women with dense breasts that may not be visible on mammography
At ISMI, your breast ultrasound is performed either by a technologist experienced in breast ultrasound, our fellowship-trained radiologist(s), or if needed, by both.
Breast Biopsy
Breast biopsies are performed under real-time imaging guidance using ultrasound or mammography. The biopsy is performed by fellowship-trained radiologist(s) using state-of-the-art technology. The procedure can be performed under conscious sedation, delivered and supervised by our experienced nurse. Conscious sedation is a highly controllable form of sedation that helps you relax and avoid pain without risks of general anesthesia. This leads to a much more tolerable procedure and dignified experience. You will be able to recover after your procedure in our serene and quiet “relaxation room”, alone or accompanied by your loved ones, before leaving ISMI.
Cutting edge technology: Liquid biopsy for breast cancer
Liquid biopsy is a relatively new test with several potential ground-breaking uses in cancer treatment. As tumors grow, pieces can break off and circulate in your bloodstream. A liquid biopsy can identify these pieces. These pieces of your tumor also provide genetic information about the cancer that can help your healthcare provider decide what treatments may work best to treat it (1)
BREAST CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS:
Breast cysts
are a very common finding, especially in younger patients. They are oval or round structures filled with simple, benign fluid. Most breast cysts are small and without any symptoms. Occasionally, these benign cysts become large or painful. Cyst aspiration is a fast procedure that uses a very small needle to empty large and painful breast cysts. Cyst aspiration is safe, is done under local anesthesia, does not leave any scar and usually offers immediate relief of symptoms. It can be safely repeated if fluid builds up in the cyst again.
Breast abscesses
are oval or round structures similar to cysts but are filled with infected fluid. They are common in nursing women. They follow infection of the breast tissue (mastitis). Mastitis without abscess responds to antibiotic treatment. Once a breast abscess is formed, however, it will not respond to antibiotic treatment alone. Breast abscesses are painful and cause fever and occasionally systemic infections and require urgent treatment. Drainage of breast abscesses can be safely and quickly performed under ultrasound guidance. After drainage, proper antibiotic treatment will lead to healing and cure of underlying mastitis.
Breast abscesses
are oval or round structures similar to cysts but are filled with infected fluid. They are common in nursing women. They follow infection of the breast tissue (mastitis). Mastitis without abscess responds to antibiotic treatment. Once a breast abscess is formed, however, it will not respond to antibiotic treatment alone. Breast abscesses are painful and cause fever and occasionally systemic infections and require urgent treatment. Drainage of breast abscesses can be safely and quickly performed under ultrasound guidance. After drainage, proper antibiotic treatment will lead to healing and cure of underlying mastitis.
Expert Consultation
To speak to our nurse or our fellowship-trained radiologist(s) about breast care click here or:
