Our Services

Digital mammography
Digital mammography allows doctors to see subtle differences in breast tissue that traditional film mammograms do not. That means more accurate diagnoses and fewer biopsies. Digital mammograms are faster – delivering less radiation exposure and giving faster feedback to patients.

Recent reports suggest that digital mammograms may be better than conventional film mammograms at detecting breast cancer, particularly in women under age 50, women who have not gone through menopause, and those with dense breasts. Digital images showed cancers regular mammograms missed in these women.

Computer-assisted detection (CAD)
Using sophisticated computer software, CAD works essentially as a second opinion of the radiologist’s interpretation of a woman’s mammogram. The software marks even the smallest breast abnormalities on the mammogram image, so the radiologist can take another look and determine if further tests are required. The radiologist still makes the final interpretation of the mammogram.

A study presented at the 2000 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) meeting found that using CAD software increased the detection of breast cancer by approximately 20 percent. Among the 12,860 women in the study, 49 cancers were detected:

• 32 cancers were detected by both CAD technology and by the radiologist, who interpreted the women’s regular mammogram films
• 9 cancers were detected by the radiologist alone
• 8 cancers were detected by the CAD technology alone (the radiologist then reviewed the mammogram films again to find the suspicious areas)

Follow-up diagnostics
Almost all women who get mammograms find they are in good health. But in cases where abnormalities are found, additional tests may be needed. The good news is, about 80 percent of women who find abnormalities in their mammograms do not have cancer. The Radin Breast Care Center offers technologies that allow your doctor to go beyond mammography and get a closer look at your health. These technologies include:

Stereotactic core biopsy uses X-rays taken from multiple angles to pinpoint the center of irregular breast tissue. Taking a sample from the tissue core allows physicians to remove a small amount of tissue without the incisions, anesthesia and scarring associated with traditional biopsies.

Ultrasound core biopsy also uses multiple images to pinpoint and sample abnormal breast tissue. Patients have less scarring, faster results and less pain than they would with traditional biopsies.

Fine needle aspiration is a technique that allows a biopsy of various bumps and lumps. It allows for enough tissue to be retrieved for microscopic analysis to make an accurate diagnosis.

Cyst aspiration uses a small needle to drain fluid from a cyst. Doing so can help your doctor find out if the lump you feel is a cyst or not.

Personalized consultation with a team of specialists
Women tell us they want their doctors to coordinate better, so we give women the chance to meet together with the specialists who will treat them. The mix of specialists is tailored to each patient. This multidisciplinary team meets to discuss a woman's coordinated treatment plan at the Radin Breast Care Center which can be done in a faster timeframe and eliminate her need to wait to see these specialists at seperate locations elsewhere.

Cancer care experience
When test results show breast cancer is present, it is comforting to know we are affiliated with the California Cancer Center and the only cancer program in the area to earn “teaching hospital level” accreditation with commendation from the American College of Surgeons – an accreditation on par with university-based cancer programs at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and UCLA Harbor Medical Center.

Nurse coordinator
The responsibility of the nurse coordinator is to make sure you get all the care you need and that your experience with us is a good one. Beverly Anthony is the nurse coordinator at the Radin Breast Care Center, and serves as a knowledgeable resource for patients while coordinating all aspects of care for each woman who comes through the center.