Breast cancer strikes one in every eight women, making cancer treatment centers an important resource for women. The highest success rates occur when the disease is found in its early stages. The Comprehensive Breast Center at Good Samaritan Medical Center gives women in Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast access to advanced tools to detect breast cancer early. Good Samaritan Medical Center’s team of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgical oncologists are dedicated to your care.
Digital Mammography
There is a current debate in the United states over the best time to begin screening mammograms for breast cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services (USPTF) has recommended that the biennial screening mammography for women should be done between the ages of 50 to 74 years. The recommendation among other health experts has not changed, including the American Cancer Society and the American College of Surgeons . They continue to recommend that women should begin having annual mammograms at age 40, or earlier if they are at higher risk. The decision when to start regular, biennial screening mammography should be a result of your individual discussion with your physician.
Good Samaritan Medical Center offers digital mammograms with a computer-aided detection (CAD) system. Digital mammograms are recognized as advantageous by the National Cancer Institute. Bone density studies and manual lymphedema drainage therapy are available.
> Download our Digital Mammography Fact Sheet
Advanced Diagnostics
- Ultrasound - High-frequency sound waves produce images designed to diagnose cystic disease.
- Surgical Biopsy - For breast lumps that can be felt, a mass can be removed under local anesthesia. For a non-palpable lump, a needle-directed biopsy is performed.
- Non-Surgical Aspiration - A thin needle obtains a small number of breast cells for further testing.
- Stereotactic Biopsy - An outpatient procedure, performed under local anesthesia, uses computer-guided imaging to locate a breast lesion and remove a tissue sample for testing.
- Core Biopsy - Using an Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrument (ABBI),a single portion of tissue is removed for analysis.
> Download our Breast MRI Fact Sheet
> Download our Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Fact Sheet
Treatment Planning
Treatment planning, research protocols, and long-term follow-up care for breast cancer patients are available in our cancer treatment center. The Comprehensive Breast Center at Good Samaritan Medical Center offers access to individual psychosocial counseling and support groups to help patients cope.
For more information or to make an appointment for a mammogram, second-opinion consultation or other services, email us or call (561) 671-7440.