The Women’s Health Center at St. Francis Hospital is a state-of-the-art imaging center committed to women’s health and education. Our dedicated team of physicians, nurses, and technologists are experts in the latest techniques that provide the earliest diagnosis of many women’s health issues.
We have recently completed an expansion and renovation and are pleased to offer the latest technology available, along with a high level of comfort, convenience, and patient-focused care.
A wide range of diagnostic and interventional modalities are offered:
- Digital mammography with computer-aided detection (CAD)
- Breast MRI and MRI-guided breast biopsy
- Stereotactic biopsy
- Ultrasound biopsy and other ultrasound including breast, pelvic, abdominal, thyroid, and sonohysterograms
- Bone densitometry
At the Women’s Center, we are committed to treating each patient with dignity and respect. We understand that patients may experience fear or anxiety when undergoing a medical exam. That’s why we provide same-day results for mammography and breast ultrasounds.
If an abnormality is found, our physicians will discuss a number of options for further analysis, including stereotactic or ultrasound guided needle biopsy or MRI evaluation. The Women’s Center is accredited in stereotactic breast biopsy, a minimally invasive procedure that is performed with a local anesthetic.
The Women's Center of St. Francis Hospital is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR). We are also accredited by the ACR for gynecological ultrasound services. Consultation and second opinions on abnormal mammogram or ultrasound findings are available.
Our hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m; and Fridays, 7:30am – 4:00pm. Evening hours are also available. To schedule an appointment, please contact our scheduling office at (516) 629-2428.
Parking is easy and close to the facility. Most major health insurance plans are accepted.
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Conditions Treated
We diagnose women’s health issues:
- Osteoporosis
- Osteopenia
- Breast cancer
- Inflammatory disease of breast
- Implant leakage
- Lump/mass in breast
- Malignant neoplasm of male breast
- Malignant neoplasm of nipple and areola
- Carcinoma in situ
- Solitary cyst of breast
- Inflammatory disease
- Mammographic microcalcification
- Mastodynia
- Fibrocystic changes
- Exam following surgery
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Key Treatments
Biopsy
If your mammogram or ultrasound has revealed an abnormality, your Women’s Center physician may recommend an ultrasound, stereotactic, or MRI-guided breast biopsy. Studies show that these procedures are as definitive as an open surgical biopsy and have a shorter recovery time. There is minimal scarring to the breast, and the procedures are less painful.
Bone Density Testing
A bone densitometry scan is a simple, painless examination that detects osteoporosis. When a woman goes through menopause, reduced hormone levels increase the risk of osteoporosis, a disease which leads to bone fragility and weakness. If left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. These fractures occur typically in the hip, spine and wrist. One in two women over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her lifetime.
Breast MRI
Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a very sensitive and painless technique for diagnosing early breast cancer. It also helps determine the extent of the cancer in patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast MRI can detect cancers the size of a pea, even when other exams are normal. Breast MRI is used in the evaluation of possible breast implant rupture and when the findings of a mammogram or ultrasound are inconclusive.
MRI-Guided Breast Biopsy
Magnetic resonance imaging biopsy is a highly accurate way to evaluate suspicious tissue in areas of the breast that cannot be visualized by mammogram or ultrasound.
Digital Mammography with Computer-Aided Detection (CAD)
Digital mammography uses low doses of x-rays to look at the breast tissue and detects cancers that are too small for you or your doctor to feel. Starting at age 40 (or earlier if you have a family history of breast disease) you should have a mammogram every year. Early detection is the best defense.
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
Also called x-ray-guided breast biopsy, this procedure permits precise three-dimensional positioning of a needle to obtain tissue samples.
Ultrasound (Breast/Pelvis/Abdominal/Thyroid/ Renal/Sonohysterograms)
Ultrasonography is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves for viewing the breast. Ultrasound can distinguish a benign cyst from a solid lesion, which may rule out the need for a biopsy. Ultrasonography can also evaluate pelvic and abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, problematic fibroids, and thyroid nodules, and screen for ovarian cancer.
Ultrasound Breast Biopsy
This is a highly accurate way to evaluate palpable and non-palpable suspicious masses that are visible on ultrasound.
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Contact the Women's Center
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