It’s normal to experience stress if you’ve been called for a follow-up appointment after a routine mammogram. Finding distractions can help manage those stressful days while you’re waiting for additional tests. Read more tips from Dr. Karen Zhang for coping with “scanxiety” here.
After you’ve gone for a mammogram to screen for breast cancer, most of the time those x-rays are clear. But what happens if you get a call back after your test? Here’s what to expect during your follow-up visit at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS)’ Breast Assessment Centre located at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre.
Check out this post by Hamilton Health Science to learn more:
Health Tip: What to expect from a mammogram call-back – Hamilton Health Sciences
This profile is part of our Introducing MR Tech series to highlight the work of our diagnostic imaging unit. Full article available here.
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The CIBC Breast Assessment Centre at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre is celebrating five years of being the most comprehensive assessment facility of its type in the region.
“The concept behind the opening of the Centre in 2014 was to provide a single point of coordinated access for women who require diagnostic assessment for breast concerns,” explains Kathleen Bell, Clinical Manager of the CIBC Breast Assessment Centre.
“With the promise of many more milestones to come, we look forward to seeing what the next five years will bring.” – Kathleen Bell
Specialists from multiple disciplines collaborate to ensure that all patients receive the individualized care they require.
“It’s extremely gratifying to work one-on-one with patients and see them through the different stages of their journey,” says Nurse Navigator Elizabeth Vandesompele.
The Centre stays on the leading edge of technology and the team is looking forward to new equipment that will allow for digital breast tomosynthesis (sometimes referred to a 3D mammography) and contrast-enhanced mammography in the near future.
“We are pleased to offer a wide range of breast screening and assessment services to women, including new and advanced technologies, in order to provide the most accurate and timely information possible,” says Senior Technologist Kathie Lock.
“With the promise of many more milestones to come, we look forward to seeing what the next five years will bring,” says Kathleen.
By HHS Share 
Sitting in a dark room with several computer screens, staff members and technologists enter one-by-one to talk to the radiologist. They’re focused on reviewing images of all the patients’ mammograms from that day.
The low light helps Dr. Kavita Dhamanaskar and other radiologists to pick out subtle abnormalities in these complex images, whether it is plain film radiographs, ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.
In breast imaging, this involves focusing on mammogram images to detect early signs of breast cancer in both men and women.
Kavita joined Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) 15 years ago as a staff radiologist. More recently, she took up administrative roles while continuing to provide clinical service, primarily at Juravinski Hospital.
She was appointed the medical lead of the CIBC Breast Assessment Centre (BAC) to create efficient, high-quality care for patients with breast concerns.
Kavita made several positive changes to the workflow at BAC since she started in this role. She credits much of her success to a team of passionate individuals.
“I’m a tech-driven person and I wanted the BAC to reflect that,” says Kavita.
As an example, Kavita implemented a paperless system for reporting the screening studies. This led to significant improvements in workflow, reduced errors and paper clutter that made her staff happier they no longer needed to manage the paper trail.
Ultimately, it also improved the patient experience.
“As a physical space, the BAC was designed to be a beautiful and welcoming place,” says Kavita. “I want patients to feel that entire experience as soon as they walk in the door.”
Most of the individuals coming for breast cancer screening are otherwise healthy but still have anxiety about their tests. The calming surroundings help mitigate some of their concerns.
Kavita immigrated to Canada from India to attend fellowship in Toronto. When it was time to find a job, HHS was the first and only place to which she applied.
It was an exploration, one that was well rewarded. And she is thankful for the numerous opportunities HHS and McMaster University, where she is associate professor of radiology, offered to her growth.
“Back then, I just thought it was the right place for me to work,” says Kavita. “Hamilton is such a wonderful city with so much happening, and the health care innovation we see regularly is a big draw. This is home for me.”
Kavita is also the site chief of diagnostic imaging at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre in addition to her role at the BAC.
“She works tirelessly to develop clinical guidelines based on best practices,” says Kathleen Bell, clinical manager for the BAC. “She ensures the BAC remains at the forefront of technology and expertise.”
As the medical lead, Kavita does not take her influence for granted. She continues to network as hard as someone who’s trying to enter the field for the first time.
“I try to meet with as many people as possible, get to know them on a more personal level,” says Kavita. “Different people have different strengths and I try to understand what I’m good at and what I need others to help me with.”
Sometimes her advocacy helped get necessary technology upgrades in her department.
Her approachable personality is also on display as she interacts with various members of her team throughout the day to assess many patients that come in for exams.
Although she doesn’t feel like she’s different from anyone else, she was raised to stand out from the crowd.
“My father inspired me to be a free bird,” she says. “I was the first one in the family to consider medicine as a career and I haven’t looked back.”
This facility is one of the most advanced assessment centres of its kind in Canada. Women and men with concerns about breast health are referred there for assessment by its team of experts. By consolidating the expertise of radiologists, surgeons and pathologists in one location, the Centre reduces the need for multiple appointments and minimizes the time spent waiting for test results.
The Centre is also an Ontario Breast Screening Program site, where women ages 50 – 74 can have their routine mammograms done. Mammograms for women in this age group are recommended every two years as part of a healthy lifestyle. Women attending the Open House are welcome to book their next mammogram appointment.
“Patients can often experience anxiety leading up to their visit to the Centre, whether they’re coming in for routine screening through the OBSP or they have symptoms or a family history that require a closer look by our team of experts,” said Kathleen Bell, the Centre’s manager. “Visiting the Centre, and learning more about services here, can hopefully help alleviate some of the stress they may be experiencing.”
Bell also encourages anyone interested in learning more about breast health and the Centre’s services to check out its new website, www.BAChamilton.ca. The website, also launching on June 8, features helpful, easy-to-understand information on the Centre’s wide range of services.
The website is aimed at:
“We’re very pleased to provide this important online resource for the public, breast patients and the healthcare providers who care for them,” said Bell. The website, made possible thanks to funding from the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation, includes information about the Centre’s services, breast health and awareness and understanding one’s diagnosis. There’s an FAQ/Resources section for the general public, as well as a resource section especially for healthcare providers. This section is ideal for family doctors and nurse practitioners who refer patients to the Breast Assessment Centre, and includes a wide variety of resources including referral forms.
Photos of staff – including technologists, genetic counsellors and physicians – are featured throughout the site. “Visitors to our website will see the same friendly, welcoming faces when they arrive for their appointments,” said Bell.
For more information, or media inquiries, please contact:
Lise Diebel
Promotion/Communications Coordinator
Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Regional Cancer Program
Office: 905-521-2100, ext. 79280
Cell: 905-741-6317
diebel@hhsc.ca
