Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Gwinnett Medical Center - (Page 21)

A TeAm to Coordinate Care G PHOTOGRAPHY BY THINKSTOCK Call and every three years after that. Plenty of women, however, choose to do these tests every 12 months. Whatever screening schedule you and your doctor decide upon, you should still visit him or her for a checkup every year. And taking a proactive approach to your breast health helps you stay alert to any potential problems in between visits. “It’s important, should a woman ever detect a lump, that she see a health professional very quickly,” Saslow says. “Most of the time, it’s not breast cancer, but it’s important she gets checked out.” Lumps often are simply cysts, which are ﬂuid-ﬁlled sacs that can come and go on their own or follow your menstrual cycle. “They can get larger and be painful, and doctors can aspirate them with a very thin needle,” Saslow says. Other causes of lumps are benign, or noncancerous, tumors. “If they’re not bothering you and they’re small, you might leave them in place.” The point is, you shouldn’t be scared to get something checked out. Most of the time it’s nothing. And in the case that it is something, having it treated early is best for your health—and your peace of mind. Schedule Your Mammogram The digital mammography equipment at all GMC facilities allows people to enjoy shorter exams and receive their diagnosis quickly. Schedule your mammogram by calling 678-312-3444. winnett Medical Center’s breast program provides individualized care with a patient-centered approach. The foundation of the program is a dynamic, interdisciplinary team of dedicated breast imagers, pathologists, referring providers, surgeons, specialtytrained technologists, nurses and navigators. This team comes together to provide women with timely and compassionate care. GMC optimizes the process for mammogram call-back appointments and facilitates the patient’s coordination of care, from an abnormal mammogram through treatment and follow-up. People requiring additional imaging studies receive a phone call from a callback scheduler within three business days of their screening exam. If a biopsy is recommended, patients have the benefit of working with an access navigator. The navigator is a member of the imaging team who assists the patient with appointments and ensures that services are obtained in a timely manner, thus easing the patient’s anxiety. The access navigator will assist the patient in scheduling appointments with GMC’s network of surgeons offering same-day appointments for biopsies. This reduces the time from an abnormal finding to a breast specialist consultation. FAL L 2013 21

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Gwinnett Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Gwinnett Medical Center
Contents
Phil’s Feature
Kind and Generous
How Can We Help?
Step It Up
Your Mightiest Muscle
Well, Well, Well
Are You Doing More Harm Than Good?
Is Your Shut-Eye Serving You Well?
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge
Anatomy of an ER Visit
Next-Gen Surgery
Attack from Within
Virtual Health
PrimeTime Health
Clear Passage
New Life with New Knees
Out of the White Coat
Transforming Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Gwinnett Medical Center