Comprehensive Breast Care Center at Wheeling Hospital

The Comprehensive Breast Care Center at Wheeling Hospital provides a comprehensive approach to breast health. Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women in the U.S. Early detection is the single most important component to improving survival and optimizing the quality of life.

The Comprehensive Breast Care Center facilitates rapid surgical consultations and, when appropriate, same-day interventions, all in one location. The result is more timely diagnosis and the easing of anxiety for women with a breast abnormality.

Diagnostic studies, surgical interventions and follow-up are provided by a surgeon specializing in breast care.

A surgeon is available Monday, Tuesday and Friday mornings for consultation in the Comprehensive Breast Care Center.
If the patient and the surgeon both agree that a biopsy is the appropriate plan of care, the Comprehensive Breast Care Center is prepared for the patient to have the diagnostic procedure performed on the day of the consultation visit.
Biopsies can be performed by core biopsy, sterotactic needle biopsy, or needle localization and excisional biopsy. In addition, ultrasound-guided needle biopsies are now available. The type of biopsy recommended is normally determined by the type and location of the questionable lesion. Cyst aspiration can often be performed in the Comprehensive Breast Care Center.
For each patient, the Comprehensive Breast Care Center team coordinates a multidisciplinary treatment plan. Depending on the specific case, the team may include specialists in radiology, surgery, pathology, oncology, social services, support networks, as well as other professionals.
Appointments can be scheduled at the Comprehensive Breast Care Center normally within five days of request and pathology results are often available within 48 hours of the procedure.
The Comprehensive Breast Care Center nurse coordinator provides educational materials and personalized care, helping patients navigate the various aspects of their treatment plans.
Individuals may be seen in the Comprehensive Breast Care Center by physician referral or self-referral, depending on their health insurance requirements.

At the Comprehensive Breast Care Center, a highly personalized form of guidance is offered by Manager Debby Radosevich, who is certified as a breast patient navigator by the National Consortium of Breast Centers. The certification validates Radosevich’s knowledge and skills in steering a patient through their breast care/cancer care. Moving a patient through her care is a complex and highly individualized process. Having the assistance of a navigator trained to help a patient through the process greatly reduces the complexity and confusion. During the breast imaging navigation stages, the navigator guides the patient through the imaging process and ensures the patient receives timely exam results, is scheduled for appropriate follow-up care or scheduled for their next routine imaging exam. During breast cancer navigation, the navigator guides patients with a suspicious breast abnormality through and around barriers in complex cancer care systems to help ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.

Inquiries can be made by calling 304-243-5115, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Staff

The Comprehensive Breast Care Center is staffed with a full-time, oncology-certified registered nurse. Dr. David Ghaphery is medical director of the Comprehensive Breast Care Center.