Breast care program at Unity Hospital

For more information on the Breast Care Program call, 763-236-5623.

A program of:

• Virginia Piper Cancer Institute

We coordinate breast care services for women in our communities.

Our team of health care professionals provides a range of services from routine screening examinations to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Together, our health care team provides the services and support needed to help women make informed decisions about their breast care.

Breast Cancer prevention and detection

We work with the radiologists, technologists and other experts at the Breast Center of Suburban Imaging to utilize the latest technology for breast care and diagnosis.

By organizing our comprehensive diagnostic services in one location, we reduce the time spent in the diagnostic process. This, in turn, helps reduce the anxiety and inconvenience women feel while waiting to find out if they need treatment.

• A nurse coordinator works closely with you and your physician to provide accurate and timely results and information.
• When questions arise about the findings, for instance, on a mammogram, your physician can order additional diagnostic procedures right at the center.
• A member of our health care team may provide you with results of your diagnostic examination before you go home.

Program services

• radiation oncology services
• medical oncology services
• surgical oncology services
• screening mammography provided by 13 affiliated primary care clinics
• breast program coordinator
• individualized treatment planning
• multidisciplinary team conferences
• complete staging evaluation
• complete prognostic testing
• access to clinical research studies
• patient education and support services
• cancer resource center
• genetic counseling
• continuing education programs for health care professionals
• dedicated breast cancer support groups
• rehabilitation program including lymphedema program
• comprehensive palliative care and Hospice services.

High Risk Breast Cancer Program

Our genetic counselor, along with Thomas Amatruda, MD, medical oncologist, can help a woman in assess her risk of breast cancer.

Following the risk assessment, patients can be referred to an oncologist or to their primary care physician for follow up.

We use the Gail and Claus Risk Assessment models to assign risk based on family history, age, number of previous biopsies and other factors. This model is good for evaluating risk in women who do not have a genetic cancer. Our genetic counselor is best prepared to analyze genetic risk.

A referral from a primary care physician is necessary in order to make an appointment at the High Risk Breast Clinic. Once a referral is obtained, please call 763-236-5600.