Breast Cancer |
Breast Cancer Care and Services at WPAHS
Early detection remains the best weapon against breast cancer and breast health. The West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS) uses sophisticated technologies that complement basic screening and diagnostic procedures to find the smallest changes that may lead to a diagnosis of cancer. The physicians of the Division of Breast Surgical Oncology have extensive experience and leadership in the field using the latest technological and medical advances in the prevention, detection, and treatment of breast cancer.
The West Penn Allegheny Health System can provide patients with immediate access to the work of over 3,000 breast cancer researchers across the United States. This allows our physicians and patients to choose from the most current treatments and protocols from leading cancer research institutes throughout the country.
Both Allegheny General Hospital and The Western Pennsylvania Hospital are participants in this study, known as the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP). Our extensive involvement with NSABP reflects our deep dedication to pressing for better treatments, and ultimately a cure, for this disease.
Opened in 1995, the Allegheny General Breast Care Center is a multidisciplinary, patient-focused program dedicated to providing comprehensive breast health services in a comfortable, accessible environment. Available on-site to patients are specialists in diagnostic breast imaging, breast surgery, medical oncology, genetic counseling as well as high risk breast program and patient education programs -informed decision making program, and bone densitometry testing.
The Western Pennsylvania Hospital provides complete breast care services, from screening to confirmation of a suspected diagnosis of breast cancer to a myriad of treatment options that can be tailored to your individual needs. Since 1985, the Breast Diagnostic Imaging Center (BDIC) at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital has been recognized as a leader in providing the most advanced and unique imaging services to women throughout the region.
The dedicated nature, availability, clarity, and speed of highly sophisticated screening and diagnostic technologies available at the Breast Care Center means that patients can be examined at the Breast Care Center along with receiving a diagnosis and treatment plan options - in most cases, in just one visit. The staff of the Center is fully certified and highly experienced in performing screening and diagnostic procedures.
Reconstructive procedures for women who have had surgery are another part of breast cancer care as our surgeons work closely with plastic surgeons to provide complete reconstructive care for patients either through an external prosthetic breast, a synthetic implant or your own tissues.
Today, the Breast Diagnostic Imaging Center is recognized as a leader in providing the highest quality imaging services with a personal touch. The Center offers a patient-focused program dedicated to providing high quality comprehensive breast health service, including:
Specialty areas/services include:
- Biopsies
- Image-directed biopsies
- Non-surgical biopsies
- Sentinel node biopsies
- Breast Conserving Surgery/Therapy
- Lumpectomy
- Mastectomy
- Chemotherapy
- Clinical Trials
- Consultation
- Genetic Screening and Counseling
- High Risk Breast Program
- Informed Decision-Making Program
- Mammography
- Radiology /Imaging
- Radiation Therapy
- High Dose Brachytherapy
- Interstitial Breast Implantation
- Reconstructive Surgery
- Stereotactic core needle biopsy, including Mammotome
- Ultrasound-guided large core biopsy, including Mammotome
- Ultrasound
