St. Luke’s opens Breast Center

Breast disease, both benign and malignant, is a very common condition affecting a wide spectrum of the population and its biggest concern is breast cancer. Though predominantly a disease among women, men are not excluded from the dire consequences of breast cancer.

Since the breast is the second leading site of cancer for both sexes and the first among women, there is now a need to focus on breast diseases.

In line with its quest for excellence in the delivery of healthcare, St. Luke’s Medical Center established the St. Luke’s Breast Center as a dedicated, world-class venue for the evaluation, diagnosis and management of breast diseases.

It aims to provide the expertise and facilities for a multi-disciplinary and protocol-based evaluation and management of breast conditions.

The center also serves as the focal point for public education, information dissemination and awareness on all aspects of breast diseases.

The St. Luke’s Breast Center was inaugurated last March 22 at the 12th floor of the Cathedral Heights building complex of the medical center.

Dr. Alejandro Dizon, St. Luke’s assistant medical director for graduate medical education and chief training officer, is the center’s chief. He leads a team of healthcare professionals from different medical disciplines who work together to provide personalized evaluation, treatment and follow-up care for each breast patient.

Specialists are also available to address and support the emotional needs of each individual and their loved ones.

Available at the St. Luke’s Breast Center are dedicated mammogram and ultrasound facilities, and a minor operating room for fine needle aspiration, core needle, stereotactic, needle localization procedures, and excision and incision biopsies.

The hallmark of the St. Luke’s Breast Center is a "mammotome," a vacuum-assisted breast biopsy system that facilitates a fast, highly accurate diagnosis of mammogram or ultrasound-detected, suspicious lesions with minimal tissue trauma and patient discomfort.

For more information, call the St. Luke’s Breast Center at 723-0101/0301 local 5206.