It’s safe to say that 2020 was a hectic year for everyone. Between lockdowns, masks, social distancing and the general uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, even the word “unprecedented” became all-too-common in 2020. However, one thing that did not change was breast cancer and the importance of early detection and routine screening.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends that women at average risk for breast cancer undergo annual mammography screening starting at age 40. Because some women may have additional risk factors for breast cancer that would require screening before age 40, they should discuss their individual cancer screening needs with their personal physician.

At Aultman, we’ve resumed all services in their full capacity with extra safety precautions in place to keep you safe. If you skipped or put off a mammogram last year, it’s important to resume that important early detection procedure now. 

At Aultman’s Breast Care Center, we put the patient’s comfort first, offering a full range of screening and diagnostic services including 3D mammography, high-resolution ultrasound, stereotactic breast biopsy (using an upright, 3D-guided system that improves patient comfort while yielding more accurate results), ultrasound core biopsy and breast MRI. The images obtained from the exams help to screen and diagnose diseases and cancers of the breast. All these services are available under the guidance of radiologists, and Aultman is the only hospital in the area to have a staff of radiologists who are all fellowship-trained in breast imaging.

The Breast Care Center also uses the latest risk assessment tools on all patients who have mammograms, which allows staff members to ensure each patient’s screening needs are met and help them make informed decisions about their care. A nurse coordinator who is certified in breast examination will work with patients to schedule any necessary biopsies following an abnormal mammogram. Having these many services, procedures and physicians available allows for exceptional care coordination and enables the Breast Care Center to tailor the experience to the patients' needs, keeping the focus squarely on the patient at all times.

Aultman’s Breast Care Center is the first Stark County facility to have earned the “Center of Excellence” designation from the American College of Radiology and is fully accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. This means the center exceeds all standards of quality breast care. The hospital’s multidisciplinary team – made up of surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, nurse navigators and clinical trials nurses – meets weekly to review cases to determine the best treatment for each individual based on all the clinical information.

If you’re one of the people who skipped routine screening last year, we look forward to welcoming you back. When you are ready to schedule, call centralized scheduling at 330-363-6288. If you have already scheduled your mammogram, thank you for prioritizing your health and well-being.