Fast Facts About the Breast Diagnostic Center Every year: Kelsey-Seybold performs more than 42,000 mammograms. More than 5,600 women visit the Breast Diagnostic Center. Of the 5,600 women that visit the Breast Diagnostic Center, approximately 200 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and begin cancer treatment.

Approximately 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. But if you’re one of those women, statistics are probably the last thing on your mind.

Waiting for answers about an abnormal mammogram or recently detected lump can be a very anxious time, especially if the wait spans weeks or even months. Kelsey-Seybold Clinic’s Breast Diagnostic Center offers women an alternative to prolonged uncertainty.

“When a new patient comes to the Center for diagnosis, their case is sent to the Breast Planning Conference, which is held every weekday morning, and comprised of a radiologist, breast surgeon, woman’s health specialist, and breast clinic nurse,” says Treneth Baker, M.D., Associate Chief of the Surgery Department and Medical Director of the Breast Diagnostic Center at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. “This conference seeks to determine the next steps for each patient and to schedule all further tests and physician evaluations.”

“Following the conference,” continues Dr. Baker, “a breast clinic nurse personally contacts each patient to discuss recommended testing and to schedule physician appointments. Once testing is complete, the patient case is reviewed at the conference to reach a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.”

The Breast Diagnostic Center, housed at Kelsey-Seybold’s Main Campus at 2727 West Holcombe Boulevard, is one of the nation’s leading models for fast-tracking diagnostics for women, and aims to reduce anxiety by offering quick resolution of breast issues.

More than 5,000 women visit the Breast Diagnostic Center every year. Some are self-referrals, some are referred by their primary care physician, and still others are sent by their radiologist. What they find when they get there is a highly skilled clinical team that’s ready to take on her case.

“The Breast Diagnostic Center is designed to provide the answers that women need and deserve through an efficient, one-stop process,” says Dr. Baker. “Our goal is to make an impact from the beginning, at the point of diagnosis, which may result in better outcomes and more treatment options. Because early diagnosis is key to beating breast cancer, it’s important for women to use tools such as monthly breast self-exams and mammograms at the recommended intervals. The Breast Diagnostic Center is a tool, as well, because it aims to help women find the answers they need to make informed decisions about their health.”

In April 2006, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) awarded Kelsey-Seybold Clinic’s cancer program a three-year approval with commendation for its achievements in cancer treatment, research and supportive care efforts. Kelsey-Seybold Clinic is the first freestanding (non-hospital) CoC-approved Cancer Program in the nation. Kelsey-Seybold underwent an extensive and rigorous evaluation process, including a complete review of its performance.

If a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, she is then referred to a team of Kelsey-Seybold cancer specialists, including an oncologist, radiologist and breast surgeon who work in collaboration with each other. These physicians work from a single chart and practice in the same building.

“This team approach is a very proactive way to fight breast cancer,” says Dr. Baker. “Our collaboration leads to more information being shared more quickly, which helps us to stay on top of our patients’ treatment.”

Patients can receive virtually every aspect of their cancer care right here at Kelsey-Seybold.

“Time is important to every Kelsey-Seybold patient, but in particular, women who are experiencing breast cancer deserve to have streamlined cancer care,” says Dr. Baker. “We want our patients to be able to go to one place, instead of three or four. The goal is for our patients to spend less time traveling to and waiting for multiple appointments, and more time living their lives.”