After a woman learns she may have breast cancer, she must absorb the news, undergo more diagnostic evaluation and get a breast biopsy. If cancer is diagnosed, she will then meet the experts who will help her fight the disease, learn more about her condition, and make choices about treatment.
It can be overwhelming. The Beverly Hospital Breast Health Center can help guide a woman through this difficult time with both compassion and expertise.
Audrey Duva-Frissora, M.D., director of breast MRI for the Breast Health Center, speaks for the team when she says, “We know that when a woman finds out that she has an abnormal mammogram, it’s an emotional emergency. We fast-track getting her in for additional imaging—including mammography, breast ultrasound and MRI—to help establish a diagnosis. We are pleased to offer the Aurora Dedicated Breast MRI System, the North Shore’s only FDA-approved breast MRI that is specifically designed for breast imaging.”
If cancer is detected, a woman can rest assured that a highly accomplished and coordinated team will be at her side. The Breast Health Center offers a woman newly diagnosed with cancer the option of having her treatment plan created through a multidisciplinary conference. At the conference, cancer specialists from each discipline sit together to review and discuss each woman’s specific data. The result is a comprehensive, individualized plan.
Within the multidisciplinary approach, reconstructive plastic surgery can play an important role in planning and treatment. Fortunately, advances in early detection mean more cancer is being found and treated at an earlier stage, so the need for mastectomy is diminishing. When mastectomy is recommended, or when there are changes in the contours of a breast after lumpectomy, reconstructive surgeons can use innovative techniques to restore symmetry.
“Breast reconstruction after cancer can help women embrace their femininity and feel whole again,” says Jagruti Patel, M.D., chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals. “There are multiple options, and each can be tailored to the individual woman.” She adds, “Women should know that reconstructive procedures for patients with breast cancer are covered by health insurance, by federal mandate.”
A patient will receive guidance from her Breast Health team about the right point in her care to meet with one of the center’s reconstructive plastic surgeons. “We begin a dialogue and a relationship, and we coordinate with the rest of the treatment team throughout planning, treatment and follow-up,” says Patel.
“New breast reconstructive techniques are now available to augment or replace traditional approaches,” notes Beverly M. Shafer, M.D., plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals. Patel and Shafer agree that advances include reconstructing the breast after skin sparing mastectomies, and the creation of much more natural-looking breasts using a new generation of silicone gel implants together with a “dermal matrix” for support.
Whatever the option selected, for women north of Boston who face breast cancer, Shafer says, “Finding out that breast reconstruction is offered, and that it’s a right, can be a silver lining in a dark cloud. Women learn that something can be done to help restore them to a complete state.”

To learn more about the Breast Health Center or reconstructive surgery, visit us online at beverlyhospital.org or call our HealthConnection at 888-253-0800.

Beverly Hospital
85 Herrick Street, Beverly, MA  01915
978.922.3000
www.beverlyhospital.org

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With the internet, everything we need to know these days is just a “click” away. The ease of “googling” any subject we want to know more about has empowered us; made us informed thinkers, “educated consumers”.
So why is it, that in the most important area of our lives—our health—many of us still take such a passive role in our care? Perhaps it’s because in our parent’s day, we learned that “good patients” followed “doctor’s orders”.
Fortunately, times have changed. Doctor and patient now view themselves as teammates with the shared goal of improving the quality of care provided. Before an appointment, today’s patients do their homework, often using internet resources to gather information and formulate questions for the appointment.

How do physicians feel about patients being so involved in their own care? “I absolutely encourage it” says Dr. Kristina Anton-Schnell of North Shore Primary Care, located at Beverly Hospital at Danvers. “Being prepared ensures that important issues will be covered thoroughly and helps the patient get the most out of their appointment.”

How should patients “prepare” for an appointment? Dr. Anton-Schnell provides this helpful checklist:

• Bring your medical records or have them transferred before your appointment
• Bring a list of any specialists you see and their phone numbers.
• Make notes about your health history. Share this information upfront.
• Make a list of your medications, doses and any allergies you have.
• Make a list of your symptoms and concerns.
• Use on-line information sources such as webmd.com, uptodate.com and emedicine.medscape.com.
• Bring print-outs to discuss.
• Bring a list of your questions.
• Make sure your questions are focused on the specific issue which has brought you to the doctors office.

What are the important questions to ask?

• If medications are prescribed or additional procedures or testing are recommended, ask about the benefits and the risks.
• Ask if there are other treatment options.
• Ask if it would be helpful to get a second opinion.
• Ask if you need a follow-up appointment.
• If you’re confused about anything your physician says, ask them to repeat or clarify.

The real issue, says Dr. Anton-Schnell, is that “you need to find a physician you can work with. Keeping you healthy is a team effort. The information you provide, the questions you ask help us to provide better care. I tell my patients, ‘you only have one body…one life. Take care of it.’ The more informed and proactive you are, the better we can help you do that.”
If you decide it’s time to look for a new physician, we can help. The professionals at the Beverly Hospital HealthConnection will listen to your needs and recommend some names that might be good matches. One more tip. Before you choose a physician, meet with them for a consult. Feel free to interview them. Ask questions. Do they listen attentively? Do they provide good answers? Get a sense of personality and “bed-side manner”. Does it feel like it would be a good match? Go For it!

If you’d like to find a physician who is right for you, call our HealthConnection at 888-253-0800 weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Or, visit us online at beverlyhospital.org/findadoctor.

Beverly Hospital
85 Herrick Street, Beverly, MA  01915
978.922.3000
www.beverlyhospital.org

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