Women with breast health concerns are now able to receive leading-edge treatment and be cared for by a variety of specialists all under one roof at Northwest Hospital's Multidisciplinary Center for Breast Health.

"This is something we've wanted to do for a long time," said Cristina Truica, M.D., medical director of the newly opened Center.

"Traditional treatment for breast cancer involves sending patients to one specialist after another, all over town. The waiting, wondering and worrying as well as lost time can leave you feeling quite helpless," Truica said. "We want to change that."

The Breast Health program is designed to streamline the evaluation process for women who have breast changes or problems. This includes those who have an abnormal mammogram, have newly diagnosed or recurrent cancer, or are at increased risk of developing cancer.

The Breast Health program offers a multidisciplinary approach to care, offering the most advanced technologies and treatments. For most patients this means taking advantage of meeting with a variety of specialists to discuss treatment options-all in one location.

"Many factors ranging from fear, to not having appropriate physician recommendations for care, to not conducting monthly self-breast exams, keep women from practicing good breast health," stated Truica. "We want to make treatment as efficient as possible, by providing support services to ease patient anxiety."

The Breast Health program provides comprehensive services for breast problems, ranging from diagnosing and treating unusual symptoms to cancer care. Services include evaluation of breast abnormalities, breast cancer prevention, screening, diagnostic testing, education and treatment. Multidisciplinary treatment team members-medical, radiation and surgical oncologists; radiologists; nurses; social workers; pathologists; and genetic counselors-work as one unit, to provide optimal treatment. In a multidisciplinary setting, patients no longer have to schedule successive appointments with each specialty group. Their appointments with the various specialty team members are coordinated with the help of Leslee Gold, RN, care coordinator.

Joining Truica and the multidisiplinary team members is Alan S. Davis, M.D., surgical director of the Multidisciplinary Center for Breast Health and associate chief of surgery at Northwest Hospital, who has been treating breast cancer patients for more than 20 years.

The Breast Health program also includes the Center for Breast Care and Bone Health at Northwest Hospital, where screening and diagnostic testing have been performed for over 15 years.

Patients can either be referred to the Multidisciplinary Center for Breast Health by their physician, or can call 410-521-5929 to schedule an appointment.

Northwest Hospital Center is a member of LifeBridge Health, a regional health organization that includes Sinai Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, Jewish Convalescent & Nursing Home, and related subsidiaries and affiliates.