Carson Tahoe celebrates opening of new Breast Center

Carson Tahoe Health held an open house Thursday for its brand-new Breast Center attached to Sierra Surgery Hospital at 1400 Medical Parkway in Carson City.

The Carson Tahoe Breast Center is the organization's newest addition to its medical campus.

Carson Tahoe Chief Operating Officer (COO) Michelle Joy said the $2.5 million addition will serve a key role in the delivery of women's health care.

"We wanted to make this a one-stop shop for breast health," she said Thursday during the open house event.

The center will make it possible now for patients to get all of their breast health taken care of under one roof.

Joy said she hopes more women will seek out preventative breast health care now that they no longer have to jump from one facility to another for exams, screenings, radiology and other diagnostic procedures.

"From a patient perspective, we wanted to make this as easy and convenient as possible," Joy said.

The Carson Tahoe Breast Center (CTBC) features mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy services, as well as a nurse navigator who will help guide patients through the process of early detection and diagnosis.

Joy said the number of mammograms being performed on patients in rural Nevada -- including Carson City -- has been dropping since 2010, a needs assessment performed every three years has shown.

"We are seeing fewer women coming in every two years," Joy said. "Ideally they should be coming in every year."

Meanwhile, the rate of breast cancer diagnoses in the state has risen to higher than the national rate, she said.

Carson Tahoe Health will be performing more community outreach through public service announcements, Joy said, and the new Breast Center will play a pivotal role in getting the word out.

Joy said she is hopeful that through the new CTBC, the number of preventative mammograms performed will increase.

The CTBC is a state-of-the-art facility with the latest three-dimensional tomosynthesis mammogram technology, the most advanced form of diagnostic tests available for breast cancer screening.

This technology is also vital for patients with dense breast tissue because it sees beyond the dense tissue to find hidden tumors.

Moreover, 3-D tomosynthesis technology is a much faster diagnostic tool, significantly reducing the amount of time a patient spends at the machine.

Staff radiologist Ed Pillsbury, M.D., said instead of several views of the breast, the new 3-D tomosynthesis mammography only requires two views.

"This reduces the time spent in the procedure from 45 minutes down to about 10 minutes," he said.

The CTBC currently features two 3-D tomosynthesis mammography machines, an ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound-guided biopsy services, and a DEXA bone density scan machine, a diagnostic tool used to screen for osteopenia and osteoporosis.

There is space in the new facility to expand to a third 3-D tomosynthesis mammography machine and a second ultrasound, Joy said.

There will also be two radiologists on staff at any one time to ensure greater efficiency of patient care.

The latest digital imaging technology also allows the radiologists to review diagnostic results almost immediately. Oftentimes they are able to discuss the findings with a patient before the visit is over.

“Comfort, convenience, and state-of-the-art technology are hallmarks of the Carson Tahoe Breast Center,” Joy said. “Through an innovative model of care, our goal is to provide the best possible patient experiences, outcomes, and quality of life for people.”

In addition to technology, Joy said the center remains sensitive to the emotional needs of patients.

Breast procedures can be a stressful and anxious experience for patients and their family members, she said, and the center is designed to provide a nurturing environment.

“The breast center combines art and science through a patient-centered approach, one that embraces a tranquil healing environment and the most advanced diagnostic services,” Joy said.

To learn more about the innovative treatments at the new Carson Tahoe Breast Center, visit the facility's web site here.