Donna Plecha, MD, Co-Director, UH Breast Health Center
Construction of the new Breen Breast Health Pavilion on the campus of University Hospitals Case Medical Center is now underway. When it opens in May, women can obtain comprehensive breast health services from trusted specialists in one central location.
Nearly triple the size of the current center, the facility will be equipped with the latest technology and feature a soothing, spalike décor designed to put women at ease.
“Our multidisciplinary team of breast health specialists will provide a full range of services to promote breast health, and prevent, diagnose and treat malignant and benign breast diseases,” says Donna Plecha, MD, Co-Director, UH Breast Health Center.
Comprehensive Care
Robert Shenk, MD, Co-Director, UH Breast Health Center
When the facility is complete, women can consult with and receive care from surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, plastic surgeons, genetic counselors, geneticists, nurse navigators and counselors in one convenient, comfortable place. Nurse navigators will schedule and coordinate appointments to streamline patient care.
Services provided at the Breen Breast Health Pavilion include:
- Screening and diagnostic mammography n Breast ultrasound
- Breast MRIs
- Stereotactic and ultrasoundguided breast biopsies
- Genetic counseling and testing
- Treatment for benign breast diseases
- Highrisk breast cancer clinic and prevention services
- Care for patients undergoing treatments
- Multidisciplinary consultation for patients diagnosed with breast cancer
- Second opinions for patients with worrisome mammograms or a recent breast cancer diagnosis
Physicians from University Hospitals Women’s Health Services and the UH Seidman Cancer Center – formerly UH Ireland Cancer Center – are involved in several advanced clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of new screening technologies and cancer treatments. Women who meet study criteria may be eligible to participate.
Supporting Breast Health
Staff will encourage women to take steps to promote breast health. Eating right, exercising regularly and drinking alcohol in moderation may help. Women also should have yearly mammograms beginning at age 40 to help detect earlystage breast cancer, which is easier to treat.
Although all women are at risk for breast cancer, those with certain genetic mutations or strong family histories may be at greater risk. The facility will offer breast cancer risk assessments to determine women’s personal risks. Staff will take detailed personal and family histories and may recommend genetic counseling and testing services.
“Highrisk women typically need earlier, more frequent breast cancer screenings using multiple imaging technologies,” says Robert Shenk, MD, Co-Director, UH Breast Health Center. “We also can discuss other options to minimize a patient’s risk based on her age and other factors.”
A Survivorship Clinic offered at the UH Seidman Cancer Center will help women manage the side effects of treatment and regain their health — and lives — after a diagnosis.