Center For Breast Health

Breast Cancer is a significant public health problem, increasing at 2 percent per year. It is the most common cancer among women and is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer deaths. Breast cancer strikes women of all ages, regardless of risk factors. You probably have a friend or relative who has been affected by this disease.

Since 1994, the Genesis Center for Breast Health has been a cutting-edge force for breast wellness in the Quad Cities. Women receive state-of-the-art screening mammography and the expertise of health care professionals who work as a team.

Now, the Genesis Center for Breast Health is the first in the region to offer digital mammography, the most advanced technology for the early detection of breast cancer.

Women can benefit from this technology at Center for Breast Health locations on the East Rusholme Street campus in Davenport; at the Genesis Imaging Center in Bettendorf; and, at Genesis Medical Center hospital campuses in DeWitt and Silvis.

Much like a digital photo, the advantage of digital mammography is that radiologists can adjust the image to make it as clear as possible. They can magnify images, adjust contrast and zoom in on specific areas – something that they were unable to do with the standard film mammography. This is especially helpful in finding breast cancer in women who are younger than 50, have dense breasts, or who are pre-menopausal. Digital mammography brings better technology to women of all breast types.

From screenings to consultations to diagnosis, planning, treatment and support, the Center for Breast Health uses a collaborative approach to deliver care. This unique multi-disciplinary approach, the only one of its kind in the Quad Cities, brings together surgeons, radiologists and mammography technologists to provide a continuum of care for patients’ breast wellness.

These experts may not be at the same physical location, but their expertise and talents are available to patients at each of our Center for Breast Health sites. Our team approach offers combined resources of primary care physicians, radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, oncologists, psychologists, nurses, technologists and others.

Effective treatment of breast cancer requires access to a number of specialties. Our patient-centered approach uses a multidisciplinary team to provide the finest possible care.

This team works together to coordinate individual treatment strategies for each woman.
Discovering a lump in the breast, or learning of a spot that appears on a mammogram, is alarming to any woman. Waiting for test results only adds to the stress even though less than one-third of the lumps are cancerous.

We complete tests and obtain results as quickly as possible. That way, the period of anxiety is shortened.

If the lump is non-cancerous, recommendations are made for follow up care. If it is cancerous, pretreatment planning conferences, a key feature of the Center for Breast Health, may outline a plan of care. The sooner treatment is begun, the greater the chance of recovery.

ACS Screening Guidelines Reinforce Susan G. Komen for the Cure's Breast Health Advice

On May 14, 2003, the American Cancer Society issued updated breast cancer screening guidelines that reinforce basic breast health measures that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure has routinely been encouraging women to practice.

Komen's breast health screening guidelines are:

• Beginning at age 20, become familiar with the look and feel of your breasts through monthly breast self-examination (BSE).
• Undergo a clinical breast examination by a health care provider at least every 3 years starting at age 20 and then annually after age 40.
• Schedule an annual screening mammogram beginning at age 40. Women under age 40 with either a family history of breast cancer or other concerns about personal risk should consult with a health care provider about risk assessment and when to begin mammography.

The updated ACS measures recommend:

• Yearly mammograms for women beginning at age 40
• Clinical breast examinations as part of a periodic health exam approximately every three years for women beginning in their 20's and 30's and annually for women beginning in their 40's
• Incorporating breast self-examination or BSE as an option into one's personal self-care routine beginning at age 20
• Encouraging women at risk for developing breast cancer to talk to their health care providers about starting routine mammography earlier than age 40, or perhaps undergoing additional tests, such as ultrasound or MRI.

For additional information, go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure or the American Cancer Society.