Cancer – a word everyone dreads hearing, and for women, a diagnosis of breast cancer is all too common. In fact, the American Cancer Society estimates that of the more than 1.5 million newly diagnosed cases of cancer this year, 234,190 (or 15 percent) will be breast cancer – making it the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October affords us the opportunity to reflect on the medical advances helping to combat the disease.
Jupiter Medical Center is committed to providing the highest level of treatment and care for those diagnosed with breast cancer. With the creation of the Margaret W. Niedland Breast Center for diagnostics and the Kristin Hoke Breast Health Program for treatment, the Comprehensive Breast Care Program at Jupiter Medical Center has become a leader in advanced diagnostic and treatment technology.
Jupiter Medical Center has improved the detection of breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage by utilizing the latest in mammography technology, low dose 3-D mammography. Typical mammography only provides a two dimensional image of the breast tissue, while 3-D mammography (tomosynthesis) allows a radiologist to take a careful look at each thin layer of breast tissue to detect abnormalities. The use of tomosynthesis as a diagnostic tool enables doctors to more easily identify potentially cancerous tissue and detects 41 percent more invasive breast cancers than through 2-D mammography. In addition, Jupiter Medical Center is one of the first facilities in the area to offer 3-D mammography with C-View™ technology, which dispenses a lower dose of radiation than standard 3-D mammography.
Jupiter Medical Center helps ease the anxiety and discomfort of imaging with their MRI Caring Suite. This suite contains a state-of-the-art MRI, providing the highest level of images to help diagnose various conditions, while at the same time allowing the patient to customize their experience with an iPad that controls lighting and music, and even allows the patient to choose a “visual theme” for the room. In the anxious times surrounding diagnosis, making patients feel at ease is one of Jupiter Medical Center’s highest priorities.
Jupiter Medical Center’s Kristin Hoke Breast Health Program is an all-encompassing system that works with patients from diagnosis through treatment and recovery. Treatments offered include the latest in mastectomy procedures, including a nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, enhancing the aesthetic outcome of the surgery and allowing women to feel normal more quickly post-procedure.One of the key treatments available to certain breast cancer patients is Electron Beam Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (e-IORT). e-IORT is an innovative technology that allows radiation and surgical oncologists to deliver a precise, therapeutic dose of radiation to a tumor or tumor bed during surgery, sparing surrounding healthy tissue. In the best of cases, this single dose of radiation will be all certain patients need. For many others, this breakthrough will cut in half their standard six-to seven-week course of radiation treatment. Other benefits of e-IORT include reduced radiation exposure, improved cosmetic results and a faster return to patient’s normal quality of life.
While not everyone is a candidate for e-IORT, this treatment plan has worked extremely well for patients in the early stages of breast cancer.
The Comprehensive Breast Care Program at Jupiter Medical Center is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, setting the standard for the best in breast health available to our community. Jupiter Medical Center should be your first stop to ensure your breast health. Breast cancer is not a death sentence. Early diagnosis and treatment save lives.
