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A typical day in our breast center is composed of lots of different imaging exams. We have patients that come to the breast center just for a wellness check — we call that a screening mammogram. We have patients that come to us with a breast complaint, like they feel a lump in their breast, or their doctor feels a lump, or they have bloody nipple discharge or skin changes. That’s a diagnostic mammogram. Perhaps they need an ultrasound or a breast MRI because they’re high risk or they have a new diagnosis of breast cancer.
Our breast center is different in that it’s a one-stop shop. Truly, every imaging study that you need for breast is in one spot on the third floor of the Cancer Institute. We have 3D mammography, which is known as mammography with tomosynthesis. We have a handheld ultrasound — like what you’re used to getting if you’re having an OB exam — but we also have an automated whole breast screening ultrasound for patients that perhaps can’t get contrast and need something in addition to mammography. We have an MRI scanner in our breast center. So every single need that you have for breast imaging is in one spot. You don’t have to go all over the hospital for different tests.
And if we see something abnormal that needs attention with tissue diagnosis, we’re able to biopsy that abnormality using any of those tools.
Here at the UAMS Breast Center, we take care of our patients with loving, compassionate, empathetic care. Part of what we’ve done to address any anxiety that can be associated with these procedures is make our breast center very serene. We have nice soft robes. We have aromatherapy if you’re feeling stressed and need something to help you get through your biopsy. We give same-day results to help combat anxiety. We have worked very hard at UAMS to create an environment that is calming — so that we are able to increase access through decreasing fear.
