A Center of Excellence Once patients meet with a physician in the Undiagnosed Breast Clinic, they are sent to the Women’s Imaging Center for appropriate testing. From diagnostic mammography and MRI to ultrasound and image-guided biopsies, this imaging center is second to none. The center is designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR). This designation is awarded to breast imaging centers that achieve excellence in all of the ACR’s voluntary breastimaging accreditation programs.
Leaann Benzer’s breast cancer was caught in the early stages thanks to Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Undiagnosed Breast Clinic.
The accreditation certifies that Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center has achieved high practice standards in image quality, personnel qualifications, facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs.
early stage breast cancer and had to undergo treatment. But, she believes her expedited treatment helped to relieve some of the tension and stress of her condition. “Nobody would choose to have cancer, but as far as dealing with Banner MD Anderson, they were wonderful,” Benzer recalls. “They were always friendly and up-to-date… I know that I’ve done everything I can do to fight this disease.”
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Breast Center is now fully accredited in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy. Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center is proud to be the first Banner Health facility in Arizona to acquire the Breast Imaging Center of Excellence accreditation and is proud to be among an elite group of breast imaging centers that have achieved this designation. The Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation reflects the importance we place on providing the highest quality of care to our patients.
Relieving anxiety
Refer a patient to the Women’s Imaging Center by calling 480-543-6900.
patient is diagnosed with cancer, they are referred to the center’s Comprehensive Breast Program.
Team approach “We [the physicians and staff members] take a team approach; the Comprehensive Breast Program has a strong team, which is great for patients,” she says. The Undiagnosed Breast Clinic, which officially launched this past April, is currently open one day a week. Byrum says the clinic is off to a strong start and she has ambitious hopes for its future. “Our goals with the Undiagnosed Breast Clinic are to eventually have daily operation, continue to have result turnaround in 24 hours or less, and ultimately serve more patients,” Byrum says. “The quick service helps to relieve that anxiety and provide relief. Everything we do is about supporting the patient.” Leaann Benzer, the clinic’s first patient, says that she received same-day results when she was tested for cancer. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with
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Benzer’s case exemplifies one of the main missions of the clinic: to catch any potential cancer in the earliest possible stage, Byrum explains. She adds that relieving some of that anxiety patients may have about waiting to find out their results is one of the strong points of the program, too. “To get their results quickly and, if needed, have a treatment plan established, lifts a weight off their shoulders,” Byrum says. To refer a patient to the Undiagnosed Breast Clinic, call 480-256-3433.