As Breast Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close, the staff of the Eleanor and Ethel Leh Women’s Center at UM Shore Medical at Chestertown are eager to remind Kent and Queen Anne’s County residents that it’s never too late to get screened for breast cancer.
“At the Leh Women’s Center, we have state-of-the-art mammography , including tomosynthesis that can detect breast cancer very early, which is when treatment brings the best outcomes for the patient,” says Kelly Bottomely, regional manager of Imaging for UM Shore Regional Health. “By allowing doctors to view very thin ‘slices’ of breast tissue, tomosynthesis provides exceptionally clear images and data.”
Tomosynthesis – also called “3-D” mammography – is especially recommended for women with dense breast tissue.
“We conduct anywhere from 15 to 20 mammograms every day, and in most cases, women who call for an appointment are scheduled within a week’s time,” Bottomley says. “What I hear from so many patients is that they are really grateful to be able to get this important screening done close to home.”
It is well documented that for patients of any age, convenience is a key factor in keeping up with important screenings and wellness visits. For local women in their 40s, 50s and 60s – many of whom are working full-time – they are grateful for the weekly extended hours.
The Center’s services also include consultation and follow-up appointments with two surgeons, Nelson Goldberg, MD, and Roberta Lilly, MD. Dr. Goldberg sees patients in the Center two days a week and Dr. Lilly, who is medical director of Shore Regional Health’s Clarke Comprehensive Breast Center in Easton, comes a few times month, based on patient demand and her schedule.
Women who are uninsured or under-insured should not assume that a mammogram is out of their reach. The Kent County Health Department has a program that provides free women’s health screenings for women ages 40-64 who meet certain income guidelines. Information about this program may be obtained by calling the Health Department, 410-778-7970.
“October brings a lot of attention to breast cancer and that’s great, but we want women over 40, and those having any kind of symptoms that are worrisome, to know that any time is the right time to get a mammogram,” says Bottomley. “Our staff is here to serve and they go out of their way to make patients have a good experience in our center.”
To schedule an appointment at the Eleanor and Ethel Leh Women’s Health Center, call 410-810-5657.
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