Do Your Part for Breast Health
If Something Doesn't Feel Right …
Get It Checked

Dr. Luz A. Venta
Medical Director
The Methodist Hospital
Breast Center

Call it intuition or what you will, but there are just some things a woman knows — or should know. "Every woman should know how her breasts feel normally so that she notices changes in her breast health," says Luz A. Venta, M.D., medical director of The Methodist Hospital Breast Center. "For example, many women have breast tenderness before their period. This is normal — hormonal and cyclical."

And some women have lumpy, bumpy breasts. "No one is more qualified to know what is abnormal in a woman's breast than the woman herself," Dr. Venta says. If something doesn't feel right, The Methodist Hospital's Breast Center offers you many options to pursue with your physician.

For the 16^th year in a row, U.S. News & World Report recognizes The Methodist Hospital as one of "America's Best Hospitals." For 2008, our cancer services ranked #33, moving up from #47 in 2007.

3 Tools for Early Detection
While many lumps and bumps are nothing to be concerned about, it's often those you can't feel that need attention. "Early detection is our best tool to fight breast cancer," Dr. Venta says. "The smaller the cancer when we diagnose it, the higher the rate of survival."

Annual mammography is our No. 1 tool in early detection. It can detect smaller cancers that you can't feel. Every woman should have an annual screening mammogram beginning at age 40. A second tool for early detection is the physical exam. "But for you to feel it, the lump has to be close to the skin or very large," Dr. Venta explains. "That's why the third new tool – breast MRI – is better. When you feel a lump and the mammogram is very dense and does not show it, this new high-tech exam can solve the dilemma."

The Best Mammogram
for You
The Methodist Hospital Breast Center was the first all-digital mammography center in the country and continues to offer leading-edge screening and diagnostic imaging. "A screening mammogram is appropriate if you do not feel any abnormal bumps, and a diagnostic mammogram is used if there is an area of concern," Dr. Venta says.

Screening mammograms are typically quick and easy — and even more so with The Methodist Breast Center's same-day screening. "If you're here for any reason — to see your cardiologist or your OB/GYN — we'll do it for you then," Dr. Venta says. "All we need is a physician's order, which your doctor can fax to us."

Pink Rose Brunch

When: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 Time: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Who: Presented by The Methodist Hospital Breast Center Keynote Speaker, State Representative Ellen Cohen Tickets: $55 October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Join us in celebrating the importance of awareness and education at the Pink Rose Brunch, an annual educational symposium and fashion show. In addition to learning about breast cancer and breast cancer research, you will help the survivors, patients and families of those dealing with breast cancer. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 866-618-3354.

Diagnostic Mammography
A diagnostic mammogram uses the same all-digital equipment, but takes additional views of the area of concern. "The radiologist guides the technologist regarding what pictures to take," Dr. Venta explains. "And an ultrasound can determine if a lump is a fluid-filled cyst that is nothing to worry about or solid tissue that may warrant a biopsy." Patients coming to the Breast Center with a lump or a concern usually know the results of their tests before leaving the Breast Center. We find that reducing patient anxiety is an important part of our mission.

Your Partner in Breast Health
The Methodist Hospital Breast Center also offers breast MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, which is the most sensitive way to detect the smallest, most curable cancers. "The American Cancer Society recommends MRI in addition to mammography for women at high risk or who have been previously diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast MRI is a new and very exciting tool in our fight against breast cancer," Dr. Venta says.

For more information on breast health or to schedule a mammogram, contact the Breast Center at The Methodist Hospital at 713-441-PINK (7465).