Volume 11 • Issue 2 • Spring 2007
St. John’s Breast Center moves to new
state-of-the-art facility
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Through Cancer Research of the Ozarks, a joint venture between St.
John’s and CoxHealth, breast cancer patients can participate in
medical trials such as the recent Herceptin study that resulted in
the drug being FDA-approved for use in women with aggressive breast
cancer, after they have undergone surgery.
After the age of 40, all women should get annual screening
mammograms. Studies have proven that mammography is the best tool
for discovering breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage.
Women who get annual screenings reduce their risk of dying from
breast cancer by 63 percent, says J. Leon Gregston, M.D., St. John’s
Breast Center medical director.
Dr. Gregston and fellow breast center radiologists Karen S. Baker,
M.D. and Kathleen Gafarian, M.D. practice exclusively in breast
imaging.
“From the time the Breast Center opened, we have felt that the best
way to care for breast patients is to have a staff dedicated to that
specialty. St. John’s Breast Center’s radiologists are
sub-specialized in breast imaging, which means we focus 100 percent
of our energy and education toward breast imaging,” Dr. Gregston
says.
Davis says the center’s employees strive to always be sensitive to
the needs of their patients.
“We know women are uneasy when they come in here, but knowing and
responding to that makes a difference,” Davis said. “So we provide
that one-on-one consultation to help our patients feel comfortable.”
“I feel very comfortable coming here for my own mammograms,” she
adds. “Because I know the commitment that goes into it, and the
attention to detail by the dedicated mammographers – I know they are
going to detect any problems early.”
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St. John’s Breast Center relocated from St.
John’s Hospital to a new space in St. John’s Cancer Center on the main St.
John’s campus in January. The new facility is larger, more convenient and
adjacent to the comprehensive cancer services available at the cancer
center, according to Sharon Davis, R.N., St. John’s Breast Center
director.
The breast center’s satellite location at St. John’s Clinic-Smith Glynn
Callaway and the mobile mammography unit on St. John’s Wellness on Tour
bus will continue to offer screening mammograms.
“The patients love the convenience of parking in front of the new facility
and walking right in, plus we can accommodate more patients now. Because
we’re located in St. John’s Cancer Center, we’re able to offer
comprehensive cancer services in one location if a patient has a cancer
diagnosis.”
Other services include breast self-examination instruction, risk
assessments, multi-specialty treatment planning and consultation,
pre-surgery classes, counseling and support groups, follow-up care,
referral for participation in clinical trials and mastectomy products.
Breast MRI technology has been available at St. John’s for more than a
year and is performed in the MRI suite in the hospital, then read by the
breast center’s radiologists.
“Breast MRI is not used at St. Johns Breast Center as a screening tool,”
Davis says. “We perform breast MRIs on women who have had biopsy-proven
cancer. One of the goals of breast MRI is to provide as much information
to the surgeon as possible so the patient doesn't need to undergo
additional surgeries. Annual screening mammograms are still the best tool
we have for routine early detection.”
She adds that the center will be
transitioning to digital imaging this spring.
Breast Cancer
Survivor
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was
devastated. But the care I received at St. John’s was wonderful. I
underwent surgery and was treated with chemotherapy and radiation. I
am now cancer-free and feel as good as ever.”
Carol Crabb |
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