SJMO LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE BREAST CENTER
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland (SJMO)
Patients identified as being at increased
is enhancing its Comprehensive
risk of breast cancer on their Mammo-
Breast Center (CBC) to better
Plus® risk evaluation are informed of their
meet the growing needs and ex-
scores, as are their physicians. They are
pectations of women with breast
offered the opportunity to participate in
care issues.
the RiskPlus - program, which is staffed
Fully achieving CBC status will
and an advanced-practice oncology nurse
take St. Joe to the next level in
practitioner.
by a board-certified genetic counselor
AMY KIRBY, MD
cancer and women's health services capabilities, says Amy
Kirby, MD, Breast Program Medical Director. She directs the
During their RiskPlus' appointment, patients
SJMO Breast Cancer Advisory Committee that oversees
receive a detailed genetic evaluation based
CBC implementation.
on personal, family and medical histories.
St. Joe has recently implemented two CBC components:
"They receive unbiased information re-
MammoPlus® and RiskPlus'. "These two enhancements to
garding their risk evaluation cancer ge-
our breast program add to our ability to identify women at
netic syndromes and genetic testing," says
increased risk of developing breast cancer" says Dr. Kirby.
Dr. Kirby. When appropriate, women are offered genetic
To make a mammography appointment at St. Joe, call the
"We hope that by identifying women at increased risk of
testing and, based on their complete evaluation, receive a
scheduling office at 248-858-3777. Evening and weekend
cancer, providing appropriate genetic counseling, testing
tailored risk reduction management plan.
appointments are available. A physician's order is required
for mammography services.
and individualized risk reduction plans, we can reduce
Other key components of the CBC are:
mortality from cancer"
• Rapid results (same-day access to biopsy)
SJMO is a member of the Mercy Cancer Network (MCN),
All women who come to the St. Joe Breast Imaging Cen-
• Nurse navigation
one of Michigan's largest cancer care networks. MCN links
ter for a mammogram are offered the opportunity to
• Psychosocial counseling and supportive services
local hospitals and cancer centers throughout Michigan to
participate in MammoPlus®—which includes both a digital
• Clinical trials
provide patients and families access to the most advanced
mammography screening and a lifetime risk assessment
• Survivorship program
medicine and latest in cancer diagnostics, clinical research
for breast cancer. There is no additional cost for Mammo-
• Multidisciplinary care team for patient planning and
trials and therapeutic technology. The long-term goal is for
Plus®. It is the hospital's version of the best mammogram
treatment
all MCN hospitals to offer standardized CBC to patients
service available.
• National accreditations in breast care and radiology
throughout Michigan.
WOMEN AND HEART HEALTH
These new risk factors include health issues—such as
What might this mean for you? If you had a complication
pre-eclampsia and diabetes—that may crop up only
such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure dur-
WHAT'S NEW
FOR YOU?
during pregnancy.
ing pregnancy, your doctor needs to carefully monitor and
control your risk for CVD.
"Things like elevations in blood pressure or gestational
You've heard the message many
diabetes increase a woman's risk for developing diabetes
Having certain immune disorders, such as lupus and rheu-
times: Women get heart disease
or hypertension later in life," says Ileana L. Pina, MD, one
matoid arthritis, also can significantly increase a woman's
and have heart attacks, too.
of the authors of the AHA guidelines.
risk for CVD. According to the AHA, if you have one of
these conditions, you should be screened for CVD even
The American Heart Association
So even though these conditions may disappear after
(AHA) has been driving home
childbirth, they can remain CVD risks for a long time.
those facts to women for years.
NITIN DOSHI, MD
if you don't have evidence of heart disease.
For instance: Women with a history of pre-eclampsia
"In addition, women with high blood pressure, diabetes
face double the risk of having a stroke, heart disease and
and high cholesterol should refrain from smoking, because
Now the organization would
dangerous blood clots in their veins five to 15 years after
it adds to a multitude of added risks," notes Dr. Doshi.
like women to make that mes-
their pregnancy.
sage more relevant to their everyday lives. It urges every
The updated guidelines also emphasize the need to rec-
woman to sit down with her doctor and ask two questions:
ognize the impact that racial and ethnic factors can have
on CVD. For example: High blood pressure is a particular
"What factors keep me personally from being in optimum
problem for African American women, as is diabetes for
heart health?"
Hispanic women.
"What are some practical steps I can take—given my age,
PREVENTION "Women also don't tolerate a heart at-
health and background—to change them?"
tack as well as men once they have one, so it's important
to know that prevention is always better than treatment,"
SYMPTOMS "Often, women with heart disease present
adds Dr. Doshi. To prevent heart disease:
with atypical symptoms, such as pain between the shoul-
• Don't smoke.
der blades, indigestion, jaw or arm pain, or vomiting," says
• Maintain a healthy body weight and avoid abdominal
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland (SJMO) cardiologist and Medi-
obesity.
cal Director of Cardiovascular Services Nitin Doshi, MD.
• Be physically active.
"These symptoms should not be ignored, and women
• Eat heart-healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, fish,
should seek medical attention at the onset of any of these."
nuts and whole grains.
• Let your doctor know of any changes in your life that
may affect your personal path to heart health.
NEW RISKS Now there are new risks to consider
based on the result of updated AHA guidelines for the
prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women.
Exercise can help you stay heart healthy.
FALL 2012
5
To locate a St. Joe cardiologist near you, call 800-372-6094.
MICHIGAN MEDICAL REPORT