They Found a Breast Lump. Now What?

Photo Caption: Front: Laura Ragauskaite, MD; general surgeon; Alan Chen, MD, plastic & reconstructive surgeon; Patricia Clark, MD, general surgeon; Anne McCall, MD, radiation oncologist; Grace Suh; medical oncologist. Back: Cagatay Ersahin, MD, pathologist; Matthew Endara, MD, plastic & reconstructive surgeon; Brooke Phillips, MD; medical oncologist; Mark Danielson, MD; general surgeon; Neda Zelahovitis, certified breast health nurse navigator; Aaron Guajardo, MD, radiologist.

By Tracy Simons | Silver Cross Hospital

It’s every woman’s worst fear—finding a lump in her breast. Before panicking, get advice from experts on the next steps to take. And now Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox is making it easier than ever before with a convenient, one-stop experience.

“We know women are extremely busy taking care of everyone else in their lives, so we wanted to make it easy for them to get all the necessary information and medical opinions to make an informed decision as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Grace Suh, a University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital medical oncologist. “The sooner we can start treatment, the better chance we have to eradicate the disease.”

The multi-disciplinary team meets in the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital for a Breast Conference every Tuesday morning. At the Conference, physician specialists representing general surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, plastic surgery and pathology reviews radiological images and pathology slides on state-of-the-art equipment and develops a consensus recommendation. The team documents the recommendations and a certified breast nurse navigator provides the recommendation to the patient’s doctor within 24 hours.

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“By having all the specialists in one room at one time improves communications among caregivers and makes it easier to provide recommendations for the best course of treatment,” said Dr. Anne McCall, a University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital radiation oncologist.

Patients now benefit from a wide array of breast cancer tests and treatments on the Silver Cross campus including 3D digital mammography, breast MRI, ultrasound and biopsies, and the latest chemotherapy and radiation therapies including clinical trials. With the recent addition of Dr. Matthew Endara to the team, new plastic surgery techniques such as flap microsurgical breast reconstruction are now available at Silver Cross Hospital.

“Early detection as well as prompt and precise treatment is the key to fighting cancer, which is why all the specialists involved in the Breast Conference are donating their time and expertise to provide Silver Cross patients with this unique opportunity close to home,” said Dr. Mark Danielson, general surgeon at Silver Cross.

Patients who could benefit from the Multidisciplinary Breast Conference at Silver Cross should contact their primary care physician.

Free Lecture

Local cancer experts Drs. Anne McCall, radiation oncologist and Grace K. Suh, medical oncologist, from the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital and Dr. Andre Edwards, radiologist, will host a free program about Treatment of Breast Cancer on Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. They will discuss how the occurrence of breast cancer has changed over time and look at new diagnostics and therapies used to treat the disease. Participants will receive a gift bag and will be entered into a drawing to receive a free mammography screening. The Cancer Support Center will also share information about free local services for cancer patients and families. Register to attend at www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With nearly 4,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2013, Silver Cross provided over $48 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).