Press Releases
Woman?s Hospital and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Announce Woman's Comprehensive Breast Care Program
(Baton Rouge) - Woman’s Hospital leadership today announced the formation of Woman’s Comprehensive Breast Care program, in affiliation with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. The program offers a full continuum of breast care, from the initial identification of an abnormality to diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
A vital component of the program is the addition of a Patient Navigator to the process. A licensed nurse practitioner, the Patient Navigator works directly with each woman who is referred into the program to help her understand her current situation and the next step in her treatment plan. Based upon the direction of the patient’s physician, the Patient Navigator assists her by answering questions, helping to obtain necessary appointments, and serving as an ally in her fight against breast cancer.
“The Comprehensive Breast Care program created by Woman’s Hospital and Mary Bird Perkins is truly a unique offering for Baton Rouge and the surrounding region,” said Claudia Lee, a national expert in comprehensive breast care with more than 20 years of experience in the development and operation of such programs. “This depth of service, with the wealth of technology and expertise to support it, is usually found in academic settings or large medical centers. I am so pleased that the women in that area of the country will now have immediate access to the most comprehensive tools needed to survive breast cancer.”
The Comprehensive Breast Care program encompasses the following services:
- Screening and diagnostic mammography
- Computer assisted detection
- Stereotactic, ultrasound, and MRI guided biopsy capabilities
- High resolution breast ultrasound
- Breast MRI
- Quality assurance program for the radiologists
- Multidisciplinary conferences
- Patient navigator available onsite
- Social services support
- Genetic counseling
- Nutrition counseling
- Surgical program offering lumpectomies, mastectomies, breast reconstruction, sentinel node biopsies
- Individualized, comprehensive radiation therapy services
- Medical oncology services
- Clinical research
- Range of physical therapy services for during and after cancer treatment
Referring physicians find the program very beneficial to their patients, as well. Susan Puyau, MD, an OB/Gyn based in Baton Rouge, is very familiar with the importance of the Patient Navigator to the treatment process. Dr. Puyau participated in a pilot study for the program.
“From the moment a breast abnormality is found, I know that my patient will be fully communicated with and assisted through her course of treatment,” said Dr. Puyau. “Finding out that you may have breast cancer is one of the most difficult things a woman can deal with during her life. Having someone there to help her each step of the way is very comforting to me as her doctor. And, I’m sure it’s a great stress reliever for the patient.”
Woman’s Hospital and Mary Bird Perkins share a long history in working together to fight breast cancer. In addition, from 1971 until 1985, Mary Bird Perkins was located on the campus of Woman’s Hospital. Several years ago, the two organizations formed a mobile breast diagnostic program designed to provide mammography services to underserved and underinsured women in the area. The program has received funding from the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Louisiana Breast and Cervical Health Program, and enables women who otherwise would not have access to vital breast screenings to receive the care they need as early as possible if breast cancer is detected.
“The strong working relationship between our two organizations goes back many years,” said Teri G. Fontenot, Woman’s Hospital President/CEO. “We are excited to be able to come together and provide the first Comprehensive Breast Care program to the women in our area. It’s a major step in giving women the tools they need right here in Baton Rouge to win the fight against breast cancer.”
“We are excited to be a part of this unique partnership bringing together the expertise of area healthcare providers and patient support organizations,” said Todd D. Stevens, President and CEO of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “Combining resources to form Woman’s Comprehensive Breast Care program promises to further improve health outcomes for women who entrust Woman’s Hospital to provide them with state-of-the-art and comprehensive care.”
About Woman’s Hospital
Woman's Hospital opened its doors in 1968, becoming one of the first women's specialty hospitals in the nation. Today, Woman's remains a freestanding not-for-profit organization, delivering more than 8,000 babies each year (the 19th largest delivery service in the country and largest in Louisiana) and provides health services to women of every age. Woman's Hospital operates one of the largest Level III Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the country, caring for more than 1,500 babies each year. In addition, more than 7,300 surgeries, 42,000 breast procedures and 86,000 Pap tests annually are performed at Woman’s Hospital. For more information visit womans.org.
About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has been fighting cancer for over 35 years with locations in Baton Rouge, Covington and Hammond and soon to be in Gonzales. It has integrated cancer programs with Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge and St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. These programs are accredited by the American College of Surgeons – the gold standard for community-based cancer care. For more information visit marybird.org.
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