Breast Care Center
The Avista Breast Care Center is committed to providing expert, accurate and comfortable mammography screening services, including 3D mammography, breast diagnostics and breast surgical care.
Our Services
We’re here to provide complete care for all of your breast health needs.
If something suspicious is found during your screening exam, or if you find any symptoms of breast cancer during your monthly self-breast exam, the following advanced diagnostics are available at the Avista Breast Care Center:
Breast care team
You will never be alone through your cancer treatment. At Avista, our multidisciplinary breast care team will be with you for your entire journey, from diagnosis and treatment to coping with side effects and life beyond cancer.
In addition, you’ll have the expertise of an entire team of experts from Centura Health, the region’s leading health care network through what we call our “Multidisciplinary Breast Conference.” All patients that are newly diagnosed with breast cancer are discussed at a weekly multi-hospital cancer conference. The team will review your care and provide expert opinions.
Radiology plays a critical role in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Whether you choose digital mammography on the Avista campus or 3D mammography at our Church Ranch Neighborhood Health Center, you can be assured that every image is read by a board-certified radiologist specializing in breast health.
Your Nurse Navigator will be contacted after it is determined that you have a positive biopsy. Your doctor will talk with you first, and the Nurse Navigator will then answer any additional questions and be sure you have your follow-up care plan in place.
You will be scheduled with your breast surgeon to discuss your care plan. Your Nurse Navigator will meet with you in person at your visit. Your Nurse Navigator will review your Patient Care Planner with you and that includes:
- Breast anatomy and breast cancer anatomy
- A breakdown and explanation of your personal pathology report. A pathology report is a document that contains your diagnosis determined by examining cells and tissues under a microscope
- Information concerning your genetics and proper nutrition
- Treatment options
- Surgical instructions and your post-operative care instructions
- An approved online and book resource list (There is a lot of information online and we want to make sure you are using a trusted resource to research your cancer diagnosis)
- COPE library educational handouts
Your Nurse Navigator will be you and your family’s advocate during your journey. It is important that you share information with them so that they can best guide you through every step. Your Nurse Navigator will continue to follow up with you over the phone and in person at your upcoming appointments as needed. You can be confident that your Nurse Navigator will assist you with the following services as needed.
Your breast surgeon specializes in a wide range of breast cancer surgeries and reconstruction.
You will work with your surgeon to determine if reconstruction is right for you after the cancer has been removed. This doctor will work with your surgeon to reconstruct the breast where the cancer has been removed. You may or may not have a plastic surgeon depending on your surgery.
Your medical oncologist specializes in the long-term management of your cancer. Your doctor will determine if you need chemotherapy or other medications to treat your cancer.
Your therapist will work with you to restore movement, reduce scar tissue, improve strength and help to return you to normal life. Breast cancer patients are often at risk for lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling in the body. Our therapists can provide rehabilitation to increase lymph drainage and relieve discomfort.
Your genetic counselor will work with you, and your family, to help you understand the inherited risk of cancer and help you be proactive about medical care.
In addition, you’ll have the expertise of an entire team of experts from Centura Health, the region’s leading health care network through what we call our “Multidisciplinary Breast Conference.” All patients that are newly diagnosed with breast cancer are discussed at a weekly multi-hospital cancer conference. The team will review your care and provide expert opinions.
Breast surgical care
Most women with breast cancer have some type of surgery as part of their treatment. At Avista, we understand the diagnosis of breast disease is nothing short of frightening. Shortly after your diagnosis, you will partner with a breast surgeon who you can trust with your surgery – and your life.
Breast surgical services at Avista may involve:
- Removal of as much of the cancer as possible through a partial mastectomy (lumpectomy), full mastectomy or radical mastectomy
- Identifying whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm
- Breast reconstruction
- Relieving symptoms of advanced cancer
A diagnosis of breast disease is nothing short of frightening. Just at the moment a woman receives this news, she will often be referred to a surgeon. We understand how important it is to find a surgeon you can trust with not only the procedure, but also your life.
After meeting with your surgeon and prior to your surgery, you have the opportunity to be part of our breast surgery preparation class taught by registered nurses and physical therapists specifically trained in post-surgery breast care. Our goal is to minimize your fear, prepare you for surgery and teach you how to care for yourself, or a loved one, after surgery.
Class Details
Tuesdays: 3-4:30 p.m.
To register: 303-673-1196
Location: Avista Adventist Hospital – Longs Peak Room
This class it taught by our registered nurses and physical therapists specially trained in post-breast surgery care. This class is designed to give you the knowledge you need to fight your battle and return to your life. You will learn:
- How to prepare for surgery
- What to expect during your hospital stay
- Drain and dressing management
- Importance of pain management
- Lymphedema management
- Activity guidelines and post-operative exercises
- Practical tips for bathing, sleeping and moving comfortably
- Baseline measurement of arms and mobility completed in a private setting by a physical therapist. (Please wear a tank top or short-sleeved shirt).
This class is free and a light snack is provided.
Genetic counseling
At Centura Health, we’re dedicated to enhancing your understanding of your health through our advanced genetic counseling and testing services. Our team recognizes the importance of giving you a clear picture of your risks for cancer and other genetic conditions. We’ll work with you every step of the way to understand what your results mean for you and your family.
Genetic counseling is the first step in the genetic testing process. In a counseling session, you and a genetic counselor will discuss your family history, personal history with disease, symptoms you may be experiencing and other factors to assess possible health risks.
- 3D Mammography
- Breast Ultrasound
- Breast MRI
- Aspiration
- Sterotactic Biopsy
- Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy
- MRI-Guided Biopsy
- Needle Localization
About
You may not have thought about us at all before today, but we’ve spent years preparing the best multidisciplinary breast care team for you. You will receive all the practical information you need from risk factors and early detection to screening and surgery options to help you live your life to the fullest today – and tomorrow.
Early detection of breast cancer – when it’s small and hasn’t spread – makes it easier to treat and results in better outcomes. At the Avista Breast Care Center we believe that by providing patients with advanced technology and dedicated specialists, we can provide patients with the best possible future.
