CHRISTUS Provides a Personal, Faster Mammogram Experience for Women
A diagnosis of breast cancer, or even the preventative measures surrounding it, can bring a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, and the dedicated staff and practitioners at the CHRISTUS Breast Care Center are committed to walking the journey alongside every patient who enters the facility. As CHRISTUS
continues to expand its services in the area, the main purpose remains the same - to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the community by providing personalized care.
“We will continue this mission in our new location at 1505 East Bert Kouns - in the old Luby’s restaurant - opening very soon,” said Brenda Pierce, RN and Nurse Navigator at the CHRISTUS Breast Care Center.
While there may be other options in town for women to receive breast health, what makes the CHRISTUS Breast Care Center different is the personalized care every patient receives.
“NAPBC accreditation is awarded only to those centers who have voluntarily committed to provide the highest quality of breast care,” said Pierce. “Accreditation is a rigorous evaluation of standards inclusive of interdisciplinary management, equipment accreditation, leadership, community outreach, clinical trial availability, navigation, genetic testing - to name just a few.”
Pierce plays an important role within the Breast Cancer Center, serving, as she called it, as every patient’s own personal GPS.
“The maze of medical testing, terminology and appointments can be very confusing and frightening,” she said. “The navigator leads you through every step of the way, beginning with calling you with abnormal mammogram results, setting up diagnostic, biopsy and surgical appointments as needed. The navigator also serves as not only a physician liaison for the center, but also a link to the community - often being called upon to do breast health programs within the community.”
“We are the only NAPBC (National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers) center in North Louisiana,” said Pierce. “We are a free-standing facility with a home like environment - no wandering through hospital halls or searching for a parking place. We use soft, spa like robes - no paper or hospital gowns . If your physician has standing orders, we can often make your appointment for your annual mammogram within 1-2 days of when you call.”
Whether it’s a routine check-up or an appointment for further investigation, the unknown that follows a mammogram can be tremendous.
“Often the most stressful time of a mammogram is not the test itself, but waiting on the results,” said Pierce.
In the event the radiologist recommends further testing after a screening mammogram, every patient will receive a call from the Nurse Navigator, Brenda Pierce, who is a 26-year breast cancer survivor with more than 40 years experience in women’s health. The call is made within 2 to 3 business days after the original mammogram, and Pierce will explain the results while also making an appointment to return for the diagnostic mammogram and/or ultrasound.
“The average wait time from screening mammogram to diagnostic is 2 to 3 days,” she said. “On the day of your diagnostic mammogram, you will know your results before you leave our facility. Then, if a biopsy is recommended from these diagnostic findings, [we] will meet with you that same day to arrange that appointment. After the biopsy, the radiologist will call you with results within 24-48 hours. If your biopsy result requires the services of a surgeon, [we] can arrange that appointment for you also - with the surgeon of your choice or that of your primary physician.”
In addition to the interpersonal components of care that is provided, the services at the Breast Care Center are the backbone to the facility.
“Our center offers digital screening and diagnostic mammography as well as stereotactic and ultrasound guided breast biopsy - these are image-guided biopsies done by breast imaging specialists,” said Pierce. “We also offer bone density testing - therefore, a woman could have both her screening mammogram and her bone density all done at one appointment.”
The center also has a breast cancer support group that meets the 4th Thursday of every month at the breast center. The group is solely dedicated to breast cancer and is open to all those affected by the disease - regardless of where you are being treated or received your diagnosis.
“It’s a place where you can come celebrate your victories and fall apart when you’re overwhelmed.”
In coordination with the Breast Care Center, the CHRISTUS Cancer Treatment Center provides in-depth medical care following the diagnosis of breast cancer. The Cancer Treatment Center is the first oncology program in the region accredited by the commission on cancer of the American College of Surgeons as a comprehensive community cancer center. The center has maintained the accreditation for 21 years and continues to collaborate with the Breast Care Center in providing the highest quality of medical and personalized care.
The Breast Cancer Support Group is funded through a grant with the Komen Foundation.
That personal, multidimensional care that is provided by the staff at the CHRISTUS Breast Care Center is precisely the reason it has the NAPBC recognition, as it is no easy feat.
TO SCHEDULE YOUR MAMMOGRAM TODAY, CALL 318-681-4100.
