Breast cancer touches lives in ways that numbers can’t capture, but early detection can offer more preventative and treatment options. That’s why talking to a health care provider about when to begin screenings is so important.
For women beyond their 40th birthday, mammograms are part of routine health screenings. However, new options in imaging and testing are making personalized care possible like never before. People deserve to know their risk so they can take charge of their health.
Baylor Scott & White Health strives to empower women to proactively manage their breast health by connecting them with the skilled team needed to prevent, detect and diagnose breast conditions, including cancer.
Baylor Scott & White offers advanced mammography at every breast imaging facility using technology that can not only help detect breast cancer in its earliest stages but also give insight into each patient’s risk.
These screening services have long been offered at Baylor Scott & White Health and are now expanding to the new Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Frisco at PGA Parkway.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. While it mainly occurs in middle-aged and older women, almost 10% of new breast cancers are diagnosed in women younger than 45—a statistic that’s growing.
Some women face a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Risk may be greater if they:
- Have a close relative diagnosed at a young age
- Have multiple family members who have had breast cancer
- Carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations
- Have a history of breast cancer
Prevention and early detection often involve a combination of advanced breast screening technologies, personalized diagnostic services, education and close collaboration with their care team.
As part of this process, women are asked about their personal and family health history and may be offered more detailed risk assessments based on their answers and additional testing.
"A monthly self-breast exam, a yearly clinical exam by your doctor and a yearly screening mammogram can help identify and address a breast concern early,” said Lucy Lu, MD, radiologist at the Baylor Scott & White – Frisco at PGA Parkway medical staff. “When a patient shows up for her yearly mammogram, this is also an opportunity to help identify and screen for any potential risk factors. With an understanding of patients’ medical and family history, we as physicians can help patients recognize modifiable risk factors and help navigate them to an individualized preventative care plan."
Sharon Ryan, Breast Imaging supervisor at Baylor Scott & White – Frisco at PGA Parkway, explained the role technologists play in patient care.
“As a mammography technologist in direct patient care, I am at times the first person to advise a patient that based on the information they provided in their care process, they fall into the high-risk category,” Ryan said.
Of course, learning that they’re at high risk can feel overwhelming.
“I am proud that Baylor Scott & White offers the High-Risk Breast Program,” Ryan said. “It is comforting to patients to know that there is care beyond the annual screening mammogram, and a nurse navigator available to follow them through their breast health journey.”
Nurse navigators are one of the most important features of the program. They help guide and assist women along their care journey, including scheduling advanced imaging such as a breast MRI, connecting patients with breast specialists, arranging genetic counseling when needed and more.
These nurses walk women through every step of the process, answering questions, calming fears and creating a personalized checklist of what should happen next and why.
“I feel fortunate to help women understand what their risks are and walk them through the next steps,” said Allyson Feldman, BSN, RN, nurse navigator for the High-Risk Breast Screening Program with Baylor Scott & White Health. “We have women who find out and often become nervous or concerned, but their risk category doesn’t necessarily mean a definitive diagnosis. If they are identified earlier and do get those screenings, we have an opportunity to detect early or at-risk signs of cancer. Our goal is to help women be proactive.”
Ryan added onto that.
“Nurse navigators like Allyson do a tremendous job walking women through the process,” Ryan said. “From the moment they make an appointment to receiving a call about their results and helping schedule everything that should happen next, they are taken care of with a purposeful continuum of care. The best part is that they feel comfortable speaking with their doctor and are at home with us. It’s a warm and friendly environment, and they know what to expect every step of the way.”
Baylor Scott & White aims to provide patients and their families with compassionate, comprehensive care throughout their breast screening and care journey.
Take charge of your breast health
Regular screening mammograms are an important step in managing your breast health. Click here or call 945-339-0600 to schedule one today.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Frisco at PGA Parkway
16050 Everwell Lane, Ste. 100, Frisco
BSWHealth.com/PGAParkway
Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of Baylor Scott & White Health or those medical centers.
The above story was produced by the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Frisco at PGA Parkway team with Community Impact's Storytelling team, using information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
