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EWBC with Cancer Services Program has provided 28 years of free cancer screenings

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For the past 28 years, Elizabeth Wende Breast Care (EWBC) and Cancer Services Program (CSP) has provided no-cost breast cancer screenings for uninsured patients.

Founded in 1993, CSP-FLR* is part of a larger statewide initiative run by the NYS Department of Health’s Cancer Services Program. CSP-FLR promotes age-appropriate breast exams for the uninsured and underinsured.

Services are provided through arrangements with health providers in each county, allowing screenings offered close to home.

The CSP-FLR does not perform the screenings but pays for clinical breast exams and mammograms. The program also pays for follow-up diagnostic exams if there is an abnormal finding during a screening. In the unfortunate instance that cancer is discovered, the program will enroll eligible patients into the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program (MCTP) to fully cover treatment services.

EWBC has been a proud participating provider with the Cancer Services Programs across NYS since its inception. Over the years, EWBC has provided breast care for thousands of uninsured women. The physicians at EWBC volunteer a few Saturdays a year to screen, exam and work up patients with breast problems or concerns. This service is unique to the partnership between EWBC and CSP. as no other facility in the area offers CSP patients results and full diagnostic workup on the same day.

Elizabeth Wende Breast Care believes women deserve access to high-quality healthcare regardless of their barriers. Statistics have shown that people without quality health insurance delay receiving care, prolonging diagnosis, or negatively impacting prognosis. EWBC, along with the Cancer Services Programs in NYS, are committed to offering annual screenings to eligible women with the hope to find cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.

Women with a family history of breast cancer, concerns about their risk, or issues paying for their screening mammogram should take advantage of this free event.

Saturdays 7:30 am until noon:

May 8, 2021
October 16, 2021
December 11, 2021
Other days available for your convenience. Give us a call to make an appointment that works with your schedule

Appointments at 585-442-2190

* The Cancer Services Program of the Finger Lakes Region (CSP-FLR) was formerly known as the Cancer Services Program of Monroe County and previously as the Women’s Health Partnership

Breast Cancer Facts

  • Breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women
  • 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime

Things to know about breast imaging (from Society of Breast Imaging- SBI)

Why 40? Beginning Your Annual Screening Mammography

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Starting annual screening mammograms at age 40 saves life. Despite this fact, depending on who you ask, confusing recommendations remain, with some organizations recommending delaying screening until age 50. The thing is, there is no scientific or biological reason that the age of 50 was selected as the age to begin screening. It is scientifically proven that breast cancer incidence increases substantially around age 40, with one in 6 women diagnosed with breast cancer being a woman in her 40’s.

Starting screening at age 40 results in the greatest mortality reduction, with current research proving between 30-40% reduction in breast cancer deaths since mammography screening became widespread in the early 1990s. Not initiating screening at age 40 would be detrimental to women in the 40–49-year age group. Their cancer would clinically present later as a palpable mass, more advanced in stage, and more difficult to treat successfully. As the goal of screening is to detect breast cancer early, it is imperative to screen at age 40 to give women the best opportunity for just that, early detection.

It is confusing for women when major health organizations present different guidelines regarding when to start screening and how frequently. But it is important to note that every major American medical organization with expertise in breast cancer case (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Cancer Society, American College of Radiology, National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, and Society of Breast Imaging) all agree starting at age 40 saves the most lives.

Those in disagreement with this place more importance on the risks they perceive with mammography instead of the benefits. They worry about the anxiety a woman feels after a false alarm, such as a callback, or the potential for overdiagnosis, which identifies a tumor that may not advance during the woman’s lifetime and leads to unnecessary treatment. However, the research does not support these concerns. The anxiety women feel after a call-back is short-term, and in fact, research has shown that even after a call-back, women still support routine screening. The overdiagnosis theory is frequently overhyped, with the real overdiagnosis rate cited by experts as less than 10%.

Science at this time cannot tell for certain which small tumors will progress to deadly cancer versus some that will grow very slowly over time; therefore, all women 40 years and older should be screened annually. Mammography screening beginning at 40 results in the most lives saved and the most life-years gained.

Stamatia Destounis, MD, FACR

 

Enlarged lymph nodes in the underarm after the COVID-19 vaccine

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Dr. Destounis talks about enlarged lymph nodes with the COVID-19 vaccine:

Enlarged lymph nodes in the underarm after the COVID-19 vaccine
Stamatia Destounis, MD

A side effect of COVID-19 vaccination can be swollen lymph nodes in the underarm on the side where the COVID-19 vaccination was given. This is seen now about 15-20% of the time after the first and or second vaccination dose. These lymph nodes may be large enough to be found on a breast exam by you or your doctor or seen on your screening mammogram. There is no reason to worry as our breast imaging physicians are very familiar with lymph node enlargement with other vaccinations including for the flu, or shingles, and with infections that involve the breast, chest, or arm.

During the COVID pandemic many women may have delayed their screening mammograms for safety reasons, however, we don’t want you to skip your yearly mammogram. We also don’t want you to postpone your COVID vaccination if you have it scheduled as both are important for your health. Our staff and physicians will be happy to answer any questions you may have about your appointment.

If you haven’t had your vaccination yet our call center staff will do their best to schedule your screening mammogram before your vaccination appointment. This will eliminate any questions regarding swollen lymph nodes that may be visible on your mammogram. If you cannot change your mammogram appointment, because of work or other events and recently had your COVID vaccine don’t worry, come in for your mammogram, it is most important to get screened. The radiologists will interpret your images and review whether there are any enlarged lymph nodes seen in the underarm on the side of your vaccination injection and discuss this with you. Don’t cancel an important cancer screening appointment.

If you have a lump or your doctor has a concern about your breasts, you should schedule an appointment with one of our physicians as soon as possible. Any new problem in the breast needs to be evaluated by our doctors to make sure it is nothing serious.

Dr. Destounis discusses with Beth Adams, the Morning Edition Host/Reporter from WXXI, concerning your mammogram and the vaccine and not putting off either of them.

Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) Screening Mammography Recommendations for Women Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine

No Need to Quarantine Screening Mammograms

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Stamatia V. Destounis, MD, FACR, FSBI  | Elizabeth Wende Breast Care

The emergence of COVID-19 in the winter of 2020, and the subsequent shut-down in many areas of the country, led to the cancellation of many routine screening examinations, screening mammography included.

At the peak of the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [1], along with individual institutions, and societies such as the American Cancer Society (ACS) and American College of Radiology (ACR) [2], recommended women postpone attending screening to not expose themselves unnecessarily to the virus. At the time, reports showed that screening rates for breast, colon, prostate, and lung cancer were already declining, ultimately revealing a significantly lower attendance rate than the baseline rates of previous years [3].  Specifically, the report from the Epic Health Research Network showed that between March 15 and June 16 an estimated 285,000 breast cancer screenings were missed [3].

As the intensity of the virus subsided, many communities were able to re-open screening services, yet apprehension over visiting doctors’ offices persisted for many, and women have continued to be faced with the decision of whether to attend their annual mammogram appointment or to further delay screening to avoid potential exposure to the virus.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women (except for skin cancers), with an estimated 276,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S. in 2020 [4]– but because of the reduced volume attending screening, there was nearly a 50% drop in new breast cancer diagnoses, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) [5]. Data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that reduced screening for six months due to COVID-19 and the resulting delays in diagnosis and treatment could lead to nearly 10,000 extra deaths from breast and colorectal cancer alone in the next decade [6].

Detecting breast cancer at routine annual screening mammography is vital to diagnose breast cancer early, when it is in its most treatable form; small, and has not spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body, providing the highest chance of survival. Delays in screening attendance ultimately can lead to delays in diagnoses, contributing to larger, advanced cancers being diagnosed, requiring more invasive and taxing treatment.

Understanding all the facts is crucial when deciding to attend screening or delaying screening attendance further. While postponing was prudent at one time, continued delays in routine screening does pose health risks. The risk of developing cancer does not go away just because there is a pandemic. While many women rightfully decided to put off mammograms due to immediate COVID-related concerns, it is important to be aware that medical imaging centers have safely resumed offering screening mammograms. The future spread, duration, and peaks of COVID-19 remain unclear, however, getting back in for screenings is so important for early detection. Remember, early detection saves lives.

References
  1. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). (2020). Available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. Accessed November 2020.
  2. ACR COVID-19 Clinical Resources for Radiologists. (2020). Available at  https://www.acr.org/Clinical-Resources/COVID-19-Radiology-Resources. Accessed November 2020.
  3. Epic Health Research Network: Preventive cancer screenings during COVID-19 pandemic. Available at www.ehrn.org/wp-content/uploads/Preventive-Cancer-Screenings-during-COVID-19-Pandemic.pdf. Accessed November 2020.
  4. American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2019-2020. Atlanta: American Cancer Society, Inc. 2019.
  5. Kaufman HW, Chen Z, Niles J, et al. Changes in the Number of US Patients With Newly Identified Cancer Before and During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. JAMA Netw Open. 2020; 3(8): e2017267.
  6. Sharpless NE. COVID-19 and Cancer. Science 2020; 368(6497): 1290.
About the Author

Stamatia V. Destounis, M.D., FACR

Stamatia Destounis, MD is a practicing radiologist at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care and Clinical Professor of Imaging Sciences at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Dr. Destounis is an ACR ultrasound and MRI accreditation reviewer and the chair of the ACR Breast MRI Quality Committee and Breast Economics Committee. She serves as chair on the SBI Patient Care and Delivery Committee and is the chair of the RSNA Breast Educational Exhibits Committee. Dr. Destounis serves as a reviewer for several peer-review journals.

Dr. Destounis is actively involved with research, acting as the principal investigator on several clinical trials conducted at her practice. Dr. Destounis’s personal research interests include digital breast tomosynthesis, screening mammography, breast ultrasound, and breast MRI, and she has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters throughout her career on these topics.

 

The Role of a Genetic Counselor in Your Healthcare

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Genetic counselors play a crucial role in people’s healthcare – from helping them navigate the genetic testing process, to identifying key information in their family health history, to supporting them through an important medical decision.

Genetic counseling and cancer risk assessment can help people better understand their health, make informed healthcare decisions, and shape the future of personalized medicine.

EWBC Genetic Counseling

With genetic counseling, individuals and families can become aware of how their genetics can affect their health.

Genetic counselors, trained not only in medical genetics but also counseling, are the experts in helping people interpret these test results and guiding patients in their next steps.

Specifically, at a genetic counseling appointment, a genetic counselor would help:

  • Explore personal and family health history to become aware of genetic risks
  • Decide what, if any, genetic testing is best for patients and families
  • How a test result might not give you all the information you need
  • Discuss the medical and emotional implications of genetic information
  • Discuss genetic test results and next steps
  • How genetic test results may affect other family members

Genetic testing helps you learn if your family history of breast cancer is due to a specific inherited gene mutation. The test itself is simple – it’s done with a blood or saliva sample. Results come back in about a week. Genetic test results are a factor in determining the overall risk. Results can help you understand your risk of getting breast and ovarian cancers and steps you can take to reduce your risk. A positive test result does not mean you will get breast or ovarian cancer. If you test negative for a specific gene mutation, you still may be at an increased risk for breast or ovarian cancer.

You may wonder about purchasing an at-home DNA testing kit. While at-home DNA test kits can help with understanding genealogy, they can also unearth your potential risk of developing some significant health conditions in the future. That’s why a certified genetic counselor is recommended to discuss their potential risk based on family history and whether testing makes sense. Genetic counselors can also help people understand their results and ensure informed health decisions are being made after testing.

Each year, millions of people are undergoing genetic testing to learn more about their risks for certain inherited diseases, whether they’re a carrier for certain conditions or if they have a genetic mutation, like BRCA, which could lead to cancer. These tests aren’t meant to scare you, rather provide you with the tools you need to make informed health decisions.

Knowing your cancer risk and being proactive about your health may help you take steps to lower your risk of getting breast or ovarian cancer or find it at an early stage.  As always, genetic counseling can help you determine the best personal course of action. Questions you may have for a genetic counselor: Am I a candidate for genetic testing? Am I a candidate for an MRI? I was previously tested, do I need a larger panel? Will my insurance cover genetic testing?

Genetic counseling and testing are recommended for men or women whose family medical history has certain patterns of cancer. If you have questions, please reach out to our Cancer Risk Assessment and Genetic Counseling office at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care. Our certified genetic counselor, Jessica Salamone, and her staff would be happy to assist you. (585) 758-7050.

Meet our Genetic Counselor, Jessica Salamone, CGC

 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the time of COVID-19

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Women Wearing Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

No Need to Quarantine Your Screening Mammogram

Every October, without fail, we see lots of PINK! For most of us the pink ribbon is synonymous with Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), but do you know its origins? The first awareness month was in 1985, headed by Betty Ford after her breast cancer diagnosis, although the pink ribbon wasn’t specifically associated with the cause until 1992 when Estee Lauder handed out nearly two million ribbons to draw attention to the importance of breast health.

Awareness month in 2020 will be different, with the walks and events transitioning to virtual activities. Breast Cancer Awareness Month will have the same purpose nonetheless — to encourage involvement in the fight against breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness is as important as it has ever been, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, some women are postponing their cancer screenings, including breast cancer screening. Women are faced with the decision of postponing annual mammography screening to avoid potential exposure to the virus. While many of us rightfully delay mammograms due to immediate COVID-related concerns, medical imaging centers have resumed offering mammograms and are taking all possible steps to keep patients safe.

Knowing all the facts is crucial when making this decision, as postponing routine screening does pose health risks. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women (except for skin cancers) and is one of the most treatable forms of cancer when detected early. Performing routine, annual screening mammography plays an integral role in the early detection of breast cancer, as women diagnosed with early breast cancer (when the cancer is small and has not spread) have a high chance of survival. Delays in screening can lead to delays in diagnoses leading to more advanced cancers and more invasive treatment options. The risk of developing cancer doesn’t go away just because there is a pandemic.

It’s smart to be cautious, but mammography saves lives. Check with your mammogram provider about safety protocols they have in place, but don’t put it off. If you are a woman age 40 or older — National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a perfect time to schedule your yearly mammogram appointment.

The pink lights are on at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, so don’t hesitate to keep your appointment, or reschedule one you may have missed. It’s about women making their health a top priority and that means keeping up with annual screenings and taking charge of your breast health.

Elizabeth Wende Breast Care in Rochester, New York

 

Who interprets the images at EWBC?

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Our team of experienced breast imaging radiologists! Radiologists are doctors who have continued their education to complete a four-year residency in radiology. At Elizabeth Wende Breast Care (EWBC) we only have specialty-trained breast radiologists (versus general radiologists) who have also completed fellowships in breast imaging focusing on mammography and diagnostic breast procedures. Radiologists at our clinic only read breast imaging studies (versus other radiology studies).All the radiologists at EWBC are board certified by the American Board of Radiology.

At EWBC, two radiologists read your screening mammogram, giving you the advantage of two expert opinions. EWBC breast imaging specialists are dedicated to providing the highest level of quality imaging services to all patients and healthcare providers.

Make sure the most qualified radiologist will read your mammogram. Experience matters for the best breast care.

Meet our radiologists

 

 

Do you need a mammogram but don’t have insurance? Come to a special screening Saturday on May 8!

Posted on by Elizabeth Wende Breast Care in , ,

Elizabeth Wende Breast Care (EWBC) together with Cancer Services Program of the Finger Lakes Region (CSP-FLR) provide free screening mammograms and clinical breast exams for women 40 and over who do not have insurance. The program also pays for follow-up diagnostic exams if there is an abnormal finding during a screening.

EWBC is holding special Saturday screening days on May 8, October 16 and  December 11, 2021 at the Brighton office. To schedule an appointment, call 585-442-2190. At this EWBC appointment expect social distancing and enhanced cleaning. If these special screening dates are not convenient, please call 585-442-2190 for additional dates.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and is the second leading cause of cancer death in women (after lung cancer). Yearly mammograms starting at age 40 is the best way to find breast cancer early — when it may be easier to treat. We hope to see you soon.

We are here for your breast care needs

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Exceptional care redesigned!

At EWBC you can expect social distancing, enhanced cleaning and same day results in a new way.

Patients are screened prior to and also at the time of their appointment. EWBC staff are screened daily.  Everyone is required to wear a mask.

We have spread out appointment times and furniture to help with social distancing. Companions are asked to wait in their car to reduce the amount of people in the building.

Our team is deep cleaning on a continual basis throughout the day. Imaging equipment and exam rooms are disinfected after each patient as well as all waiting rooms, common areas and frequently touched surfaces.

Elizabeth Wende Breast Care continues to offer same day results. Patients can choose to receive messages by email or text.

Our patients and dedicated staff are adapting well to this new patient experience. One patient recently commented:

“The fact that we are going through COVID-19, the staff were very accommodating, extremely cautious with cleanliness, very friendly, and made the experience as a whole welcoming and comfortable!”

Breast Imaging ⁠— it’s all we do. We hope to see you soon!

 

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