ABOUT
Woodlands Medical Specialists leads a new era for women’s breast health in the greater Pensacola and surrounding areas. Our breast health facilities are unlike anything else offered and were uniquely designed to provide an alternative to the standard experience for breast care. We know that mammograms and breast biopsies are typically stressful on women and we’ve designed our facility to remove the negative elements and create a truly warm and inviting atmosphere. It is no doubt that our breast health team and specialty-trained radiologists focus exclusively on the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.
This division of Woodlands has been tailored especially for the needs of women and provides a comforting environment. Whether you come here for your first screening mammogram, annual routine mammogram or for further diagnosis and treatment of a breast health complication, our patients can expect to receive a seamless, personalized delivery of care. And, with all Woodlands specialists under one roof, patients can expect to get results from their mammograms or biopsies sooner.
WOMEN’S HEALTH DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES
Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast changes promptly to their doctor.
Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should keep doing so for as long as they are in good health. While mammograms can miss some cancers, they are still a very good way to find breast cancer. Diagnostic mammograms are used for women who have possible abnormalities that could indicate cancer or another breast health problem.
An ultrasound uses sound waves to outline a part of the body. The sound wave echoes are picked up by a computer to create a picture on a computer screen. Ultrasound is a good test to use along with mammograms because it is widely available and costs less than other tests. But ultrasound should not be used instead of mammograms. Usually, it is used to look at a certain area of concern found by the mammogram. It sometimes helps to tell the difference between cysts and solid masses (tumors) without using a needle to draw out fluid.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is used to help diagnose and stage breast cancer. In addition to mammography, it is also used for women who are at very high risk for developing breast cancer. For certain women at high risk for breast cancer, screening MRI is recommended along with a yearly mammogram. It is not generally recommended as a screening tool by itself because it may miss some cancers that mammograms would find.
A biopsy is done when other tests show that you might have breast cancer. The only way to know for sure is for you to have a biopsy. During this test, cells from the area of concern are removed so they can be studied in the lab. There are several kinds of biopsies. The doctor will use the one best for you.
