Breast Care - Services

The Mosaic Life Care at St. Joseph - Breast Care offers many different services to provide the best care possible. Choose a service below to read more about it.

Mammography

Mosaic Life Care’s mammography technologists provide your mammography exam with comfort and compassion.

Mammography
Digital Mammography with the comfort, privacy and compassion every woman deserves.

Advanced digital mammography and diagnosis
Spa-like atmosphere
Coordinated scheduling for diagnostic work up
On-site healthcare professionals
Conveniently located; convenient parking

Mammography services feature advanced digital technology in a spa-like atmosphere that was designed just for women. The mammography department exemplifies our commitment to compassion and excellence. We've put the best professionals and state-of-the-art screening and diagnostic equipment at two convenient locations that feature comfort, privacy, and compassionate care.

In short, we've done the impossible: we've made getting mammograms a pleasant experience. Nothing should keep women from this very important health screening. The American Cancer Society encourages all women age 40 and older to have an annual mammogram. Early detection is vitally important for effective cancer treatment.

Call today to schedule an appointment — (816) 271-7465. It's quick and easy. And it could save your life.

Plaza Mammography
A full-service breast health department that features fully-digital mammography screening and diagnostic work ups with the comfort, privacy and compassion every woman deserves — that’s the goal of the plaza mammography department. The mammography suite provides comfortable surroundings in a unique, spa-like atmosphere to make important regular breast screenings as pleasant as possible.

Women’s Health Mammography
Many women may choose to combine mammograms and regular health maintenance visits at Women’s Health. Women’s Health provides the same screening capabilities as the plaza mammography. Diagnostic work-up of abnormal mammographic findings are performed at the plaza location.

Screening Mammography
Our technicians are not only there to complete your mammogram, they will help make the experience for you as comfortable as possible. Two views will be taken of each breast. If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, alert the technologist before the exam so she can take appropriate precautions. Total exam time is approximately 15 minutes.

Click here for more information on screening mammograms and how to prepare for them: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=mammo

Diagnostic Mammography
If you are experiencing problems with your breast or have discovered a lump, you will be scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram. In this case, the mammogram is focused on a specific area of your breast. At Plaza Mammography, a radiologist will be on hand to make sure that we are capturing appropriate images.

Diagnostic appointments tend to take more time than screening mammogram appointments due to the additional diagnostic steps and time necessary to read the images. If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, alert the technician before the exam so she can take appropriate precautions.

Preparation - On the day of your mammogram, wear a two-piece outfit and avoid using deodorant if possible. If you are wearing deodorant, you will need to remove it in the dressing room prior to your screening.
Click here for more information on screening mammograms and how to prepare for them: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=mammo

Efficiency - We offer speedy appointments and a streamlined scheduling process. Our professional staff has designed a workflow that enhances timeliness and improves the quality of interpretation, which will ultimately reduce recall rates.

Ultrasound

Breast Ultrasound
Breast ultrasounds are usually performed when you or a physician has detected a lump in your breast, or if you are experiencing abnormal nipple discharge. The ultrasound can help determine whether a breast mass is a fluid-filled non-cancerous cyst or a solid mass that could either be cancerous or non-cancerous

Preparation - On the day of your exam, please wear a two-piece outfit.

Click here for more information on breast ultrasounds and how to prepare for this exam: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastus

Breast Biopsy

Image detected core needle breast biopsy is the standard of care for the diagnosis of breast abnormalities eliminating the cost and discomfort of having an open biopsy in a hospital operating room.

Ultrasound-Guided Core Needle Breast Biopsy
Ultrasound provides images of mass lesions during breast biopsy. Ultrasound guided core needle breast biopsies are performed at one of Mosaic Life Care two radiology locations. There you will be met by caring technologists who will explain the procedure and help answer any question you may have prior to your biopsy. One of our highly trained radiologists with expertise in performing image guided biopsies will perform your core needle biopsy. The procedure only takes a few minutes and most patients experience significantly less discomfort than an open biopsy. Be sure to note that it is not necessary to take an entire day off from your daily activities for this procedure, although you may feel a little sore afterwards.

Preparation - On the day of your biopsy, please wear a two-piece outfit. Refrain from taking aspirin 24 hours before your biopsy. Other blood thinners must be held as advised by your physicians.

Click here for more information on ultrasound-guided core needle breast biopsy and how to prepare for this procedure: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=breastbius

Stereotactic Core Needle Breast Biopsy
Stereotactic Core Needle Breast Biopsy provides computerized localization and biopsy of abnormalities not seen by ultrasound. A stereotactic core needle breast biopsy is usually done if a cluster of microcalcifications (tiny calcium deposits) show up on your annual screening mammogram. Radiologists with expertise in performing image guided biopsies will perform the biopsy using our advanced stereotactic equipment to provide you with a quick and precise biopsy.

Like the ultrasound-guided biopsy, this procedure only takes a few minutes and will be done at the plaza mammography location. And also just like the ultrasound-guided biopsy, this procedure eliminates the cost and discomfort of having an open biopsy in a hospital operating room, and most patients experience significantly less discomfort than an open biopsy.

Preparation - On the day of your biopsy, please wear a two-piece outfit. Refrain from taking aspirin three days before or after your biopsy. Other blood thinners must be held as advised by your physicians.

Click here for more information on stereotactic core needle breast biopsy and how to prepare for this procedure: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastbixr

MRI Guided Breast Biopsy
Magnetic resonance imaging provides a guide for the radiologist to use in locating specific abnormalities in the breast. MRI guided breast biopsy uses a core needle device such as ultrasound and stereotactic breast biopsies. MRI guided breast biopsies are done at the main Mosaic Life Care at St. Joseph - Medical Center in the radiology department. MRI biopsy is available but after multidisciplinary evaluation of complex situations.

Click here for more information on MRI guided breast biopsy and how to prepare for this procedure: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastbimr

Open Breast Biopsy
Ten years ago, most breast biopsies were open surgical procedures. Today, the standard of care is for less invasive, image detected core needle breast biopsies. Open surgical breast biopsies are performed for those patients who are not a candidate for image guided breast biopsies. Open surgical biopsy is the removal of breast tissue during a surgical procedure. Surgical biopsy requires an approximately 3 to 5 centimeter incision and is normally performed in an operating room in sterile conditions. Open surgical biopsy in some cases can be performed with local anesthesia but in most cases general anesthesia may be necessary. Depending on the location and if the lesion can be felt, a radiologist may perform a needle localization procedure beforehand to guide the surgeon to the site being biopsied. Needle localization is the placement of a guide wire by imaging such as mammography or ultrasound. The wire is inserted through a hollow needle into a lesion, or suspicious area of cells or tissue. The surgeon then uses the guide wire to remove the area in question during surgery.

Open Biopsies – Open (surgical) biopsy is reserved for previously image detected abnormalities or rare instances where image detection is not possible.

High Risk Clinic

Individuals at high risk for developing breast cancer now have access to a multidisciplinary clinic. The intent of the clinic is to offer women who qualify an all-inclusive program that consists of early detection services, surveillance, and access to education. The clinic will incorporate the use of mammography and/or ultrasound, frequent breast exams, education, preventive therapies, genetic testing and collaboration with genetic counselors.

Who is the High Risk Clinic for?
Women or men who:

Have an inherited breast cancer gene (BRCA1 or BRCA 2) mutation.
Have a first degree relative with a BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutation.
Have been told (by a medical genetics doctor) that they are at high risk for breast or ovarian cancer.
Had radiation therapy to the chest area before age 30.
Have lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), atypical hyperplasia, or other known breast cancer risk.
Are high risk for getting breast cancer

For more information on the clinics' services and to determine if a referral to this new clinic is appropriate for you or your patient contact the Breast Center (816) 271-7465.

Lymphedema Clinic

Lymphedema is a medical condition that may occur when regional lymph nodes are compromised due to surgery, radiation or injury of the lymphatic system. This results in an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the surrounding tissue. Patients can take measures to help prevent lymphedema. If you've had or are going to have breast cancer surgery, ask your doctor whether your particular procedure will involve your lymph nodes. Ask if your radiation treatment will be aimed at any of your lymph nodes to find out if you are at possible risk. Occupational Therapy offers free individual lymphedema assessment and education for those newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who may be at risk of developing lymphedema. We are proud to have two certified lymphedema specialists on staff.

To reduce your risk of lymphedema, try to:

Protect your arm. Avoid any injury to your affected limb. Cuts, scrapes and burns can all invite infection, which can result in lymphedema. Protect yourself from sharp objects. For example, shave with an electric razor, wear gloves when you garden or cook, and use a thimble when you sew. If possible, avoid medical procedures, such as blood draws and vaccinations, in your affected limb.
Rest your arm while recovering. After cancer treatment, avoid heavy activity with that limb. Early exercise and stretching are encouraged, but avoid strenuous activity until you've recovered from surgery or radiation.
Avoid heat on your arm. Don't apply heat, such as with a heating pad, to your affected limb.
Elevate your arm. When you get a chance, elevate your affected limb above the level of your heart, if possible.
Avoid tight clothing. Avoid anything that could constrict your arm or leg, such as tight fitting clothing and blood pressure readings. Ask that your blood pressure be taken in your other arm.
Keep your arm clean. Make skin care and nail care high priorities. Inspect the skin on your arm every day, keeping watch for changes or breaks in your skin that could lead to infection.

Survivorship Program

The period after active treatment of breast cancer represents a particularly important "teaching moment" to help women regain or adopt health promoting behaviors. The survivorship program at Mosaic Life Care was designed to help women make a successful transition to survivorship after completion of breast cancer treatment.

The Mosaic Life Care Breast Cancer Survivorship program will provide surveillance plans for your ongoing health care following treatment. You will receive care based on specific guidelines designed for breast cancer survivors. Our Nurse Practitioners will work closely with your cancer physicians to develop a treatment summary and follow-up care plan which includes cancer screening schedules and tips for healthy behaviors to reduce cancer risk.