Methodist Breast Center provides full continuum of care

Sugar Land - 8/10/2009 -

The new Breast Center at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital along with Methodist Sugar Land Hospital's Cancer Center provides complete care for patients - from screening to diagnosis to ongoing therapy - all in one comfortable, convenient location.

"The Methodist Breast Center which opened August 1 combines dedicated, highly trained breast radiologists, the latest technology, a focus on personal care and communication and close connections with ongoing treatment," said Janet Leatherwood, Chief Nursing Officer.

Renowned physicians, Dr. Stephen Phillips and Dr. Correna Terrell, breast radiologists and experts in the field of breast imaging are leading the initiatives of the Breast Center. Both also share a patient-centric approach to their care.

"Our breast radiologists are some of the best imaging specialists in the country, bringing with them experience and expertise that instill confidence in patients who visit us for mammograms and other breast imaging," Leatherwood said.."Drs. Phillips and Terrell are highly regarded, not just for their imaging expertise, but also for their ability to communicate with patients and put them at ease when discussing their results and options for care."

Dr. Phillips joined Methodist Sugar Land Hospital from The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He is board-certified in diagnostic radiology and fellowship trained in breast imaging and intervention. He is a fellow in the American College of Radiology and has a long history of teaching, researching and writing for medical journals on breast radiology.

Dr. Terrell comes to Methodist Sugar Land Hospital from another radiology group where she served the Greater Houston area. She previously served a four-year residency at Cleveland Clinic in diagnostic radiology and breast imaging and was chief of breast imaging at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, the U.S. Air Force's largest medical facility.

Patients who choose the Breast Center at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital can undergo a mammogram and, if necessary, an ultrasound or MRI often on the same day, pending insurance approval. In addition, the center conducts stereotactic and other types of biopsies on-site. If cancer is found and radiation therapy is required, the center coordinates with the patient's physician and/or Methodist Sugar Land Hospital's Cancer Center, under the leadership of medical director Dr. Clive Shkedy. Dr. Shkedy chairs the cancer conference and works with a multidisciplinary team to find the best treatment and provide the latest in radiation therapy when needed.

"The patient is seeing the same physicians and the same staff, and it's all very convenient and timely, without the need to visit other facilities," Leatherwood said. "We are providing the full continuum of care - from screening all the way through surgery or radiation, if needed - all in one place."

In addition to providing the only full-service breast cancer screening and care in Fort Bend County, the Methodist Sugar Land Breast Center's technology is second to none. The powerful whole body 3 Tesla MRI machine - typically found only in the nation's top academic medical centers - provides state-of-the-art image resolution and features bilateral breast imaging and computer assisted detection. No other Fort Bend County hospital has a 3T MRI, Leatherwood said.

The Cancer Center at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is also pioneering new therapeutic treatments, including partial breast irradiation - High Dose Rate Brachytherapy - which delivers radiation through a specially designed catheter directly to the precise location where a tumor was surgically removed. With this new technology, breast cancer patients can complete radiation treatment in five days - compared to the six weeks traditional therapy takes.

"I encourage everyone to refer friends, family members and neighbors to the Breast Center," Leatherwood said. "They will see right away that there is a dramatic difference in the service and care they receive."

The Methodist Sugar Land Breast Center is located in the Sweetwater Pavilion on the first floor. To schedule a mammogram at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital call 281-242-PINK (7465).

The American Cancer Society recommends women do the following:

• Get annual mammograms starting at age 40.
• Have yearly clinical breast examinations by a health care professional close to the time of your mammogram beginning at age 40, as well as optional monthly breast self-examinations.
• Receive clinical breast examinations from a health care professional every three years between the ages of 20 and 39.
• Begin monthly breast self-examinations at age 20 (optional).

About Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, part of The Methodist Hospital System and ranked as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by FORTUNE Magazine, is committed to serving the healthcare needs of our community. Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has some of the most advanced technology and medical capabilities in the area and has maintained the highest quality of care The Methodist Hospital is known for internationally. Services include oncology services, labor and delivery, critical care, emergency department, surgery, lab and imaging.

Just in the last couple of years Methodist Sugar Land Hospital's physicians have successfully performed services once only available in the medical center -- abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, angioplasty with stents, brain surgery, carotid artery stenting, gastric lap band surgery, open heart surgery, single port laparoscopic adrenalectomy surgery, single port laparoscopic gallbladder surgery and urinary bladder reconstruction - the first time any of those procedures had been done in Fort Bend County.

For more information on Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit www.MethodistSugarLand.com, or for a physician referral call (281) 274-7500.