Advanced breast cancer clinical trials close to home

Women's Health Services

Breast Health Program

Detecting breast cancer in its earliest stage increases both treatment options and survival rates.

For education and early detection, St. Anthony's Breast Center provides area women with comprehensive, advanced breast health care services in four convenient locations:

• St. Anthony’s Breast Center – at the Plaza
• St. Anthony's Medical Center
• Fenton Imaging Center & Outpatient Services
• Southwest Medical Center (call direct for appointment)

For an appointment, please call our one-stop scheduling at 314-525-1300 or 800-991-7262.

Breast Health Team

Our team approach allows us to provide prompt care. You are immediately connected to the medical professionals and resources you need if there are any signs of irregularity. This is our Fast Track program and it ensures that you receive special treatment including same-day follow-up tests, such as breast ultrasound or biopsy. St. Anthony's Medical Center is the only hospital in the region to offer this service.

Our multidisciplinary team includes:

• radiologists
• surgeons
• radiation oncologists
• medical oncologists
• pathologists
• technologists
• breast care navigator

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Fast Track Program

St. Anthony’s is the only hospital in the region with a defined Fast Track policy for handling diagnostic mammograms. This policy eliminates the stress women experience while trying to schedule follow-up tests, which commonly takes a week or more elsewhere.

Completely designed around the patient, the goals of the Fast Track program is to obtain accurate images and biopsies as fast as possible with imaging results that day and biopsy pathology reports within 48 hours or less. This quick turnaround service helps alleviate a woman’s anxiety or helps her to seek treatment immediately.

Breast Center Services

• digital mammography
• bone density scans
• ultrasound
• breast biopsy
• Women with Breast Cancer Support Group

Digital Mammography Screening
All mammography sites are equipped with the latest in breast health technology, offering state-of-the-art digital mammography. Digital technology offers the highest quality mammogram available today.

The difference between traditional and digital mammography is simple. With traditional mammography, the X-ray passes through the breast to the film. In digital mammography the X-ray images are transferred to a computer screen where they can be magnified for a clearer view of problem areas.

A mammogram can detect changes in the breast that may signal cancer long before any other signs are noticed. Remember that most lumps are not cancerous, but it is wise to see your doctor if you discover a lump.

Computer Aided Detection
The Computer Aided Detection (CAD) system is a diagnostic tool for review of mammograms that mark suspicious areas for the radiologist to take a second look. This system helps the doctor make a more informed decision about whether a patient needs to return for further testing.

Ultrasound
St. Anthony’s Breast Center offers ultrasounds to assist in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Ultrasound is used to further evaluate a breast lump or other abnormality seen on a mammogram.

Breast MRI
MRI is an advanced technology used to view an abnormality of the breast. An MRI uses no X-rays, so there is no exposure to radiation.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
If an abnormality is detected on a mammogram or ultrasound, St. Anthony’s Breast Center offers stereotactic breast biopsy, a procedure that determines if cancer is present. A breast biopsy can be performed effectively under local anesthetic, with little or no discomfort. Stereotactic breast biopsy is an outpatient procedure performed by a certified radiologist, assisted by a mammography technologist.

Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy
Another biopsy method is ultrasound-guided biopsy. This method may also be used for aspiration of cysts.

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