Fort HealthCare Healing Breast Care Center Open House
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
FORT ATKINSON – Fort Memorial Hospital is a Pink Ribbon facility, recognized as providing excellence in breast health care paired with exceptional commitment and support to the women of our communities. To further demonstrate this commitment, Fort HealthCare has created a Healing Breast Care Center in the hospital, and would like to invite the public to an open house event on Tuesday, October 29th from 3-6 p.m. The Center is located on the Ground Floor of Fort Memorial Hospital, 611 Sherman Avenue East in Fort Atkinson.
The program’s Breast Care Coordinator is Tammie Turley, RN, BSN, MSRN. She has been a nurse since 1987 and is an expert in her field. Turley has worked at Fort HealthCare for 10 years, and has been providing compassionate care for individuals that come in to the Fort HealthCare Radiology department for screening or diagnostic mammograms since 2013.
When something is found during a routine screening, it can be a confusing and scary time. To help ease the stress, Turley provides guidance, support, and education to women in all stages of breast cancer care.
Turley states, “Women receiving care from us get a special tote, courtesy of the Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation, Kohl’s, and the American Cancer Society. Each tote contains items to promote comfort and healing, such as a “Healthy Steps” fitness DVD, lavender oil for relaxation, and information on diet and exercise.”
The tote is just one way Turley and the hospital staff work to help patients heal and feel better. Patients also receive specialized education about their disease and its treatment, and emotional support for their change in body image and the threat of cancer.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation estimates over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and over 40,000 die each year. One in eight women either currently has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Approximately, 1,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die each year.
If detected early, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer exceeds 96 percent. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram. The National Cancer Institute and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend that women in their forties and older have mammograms every one to two years. A complete early detection plan also includes regular clinical breast examinations by a trained medical professional. In addition, monthly breast self-exams are strongly suggested.
Fort HealthCare uses the best available imaging technology referred to as “full-field digital mammography.” This offers greater power to detect subtle breast tissue changes ultimately enhancing the ability to detect breast cancer early. Because early detection is so critical, Fort HealthCare partners with the UW Health Radiology department for reading and interpretive services. That means that radiologists, specializing in breast health, review the mammograms. Results can also follow electronically at UW Health and Meriter facilities.
The Fort HealthCare Healing Breast Care Center provides education, research, and treatment for patients with diseases of the breast with a special emphasis on breast cancer. Fort HealthCare Radiology provides convenient access to early, state-of-the-art detection screenings and follow-up programs. If a patient needs a more specific diagnostic mammogram or breast ultrasound they receive immediate results from a radiologist that specializes in mammography.
Mammograms can be scheduled at convenient times, including evening and weekend hours by calling (920) 568-5420. Visit FortHealthCare.com/Mammo to learn more or make an online request for a mammogram appointment.
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