Welcome to the Marcia Ray Breast Center
The Marcia Ray Breast Center at Glendale Memorial Hospital is a full-service breast care facility offering high quality screening and diagnostic services to help detect breast cancer at its earliest stages. The Breast Center's staff of highly trained and licensed technologists provides 15,000 exams per year, offering services such as mammography, ultrasound, stereotactic breast biopsy and a support group. The Breast Center has upgraded its state-of-the-art equipment, with the R2 Image Checker, which provides more accurate, computer-aided detection.
Marcia Ray Breast Center Hours:
Call (818) 502-2323 to make an appointment.
Monday - Friday
7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Services
Diagnostic services:
Diagnostic Services are available through the Marcia Ray Breast Center for patients with abnormal findings in their mammogram who need additional testing to determine if they have breast cancer.
Because breast cancer found most often in women, they should start their annual mammography screening at the age of 40. However, because risk factors vary from woman to woman, the exact frequency of screenings should be determined on an individual basis by the woman and her physician.
Mammography:
Mammography is a safe low-dose X-ray picture of the breast, and it can be done on men and women. There are two kinds of mammography exams, screening and diagnostic.The Marcia Ray Breast Center is equipped with the LoRad M-IV Platinum Series mammography systems.
Mammography screening:
Mammography screening is the routine practice of breast evaluation in women who have no apparent symptoms of breast cancer. The purpose of this exam is to detect breast cancer at early stages of development, resulting in more treatment options.
Diagnostic mammography:
Diagnostic mammography is performed if there is a possibility of a problem, or if it is hard to get a good picture because of special circumstances (e.g. breast implants). Additional views of the breast are often necessary in order to provide a better diagnosis.
Breast ultrasound:
Ultrasound is an imaging method often used along with mammography. High-frequency sound waves are transmitted through the part of the breast to be studied. The sound wave echoes are picked up and displayed on a monitor. The radiologist can then study the image to determine whether a suspicious mass or lesion is cystic or solid in nature. This will help the doctor decide whether additional tests are necessary.
Breast biopsy:
A breast biopsy is needed when the mammogram films show evidence of an abnormality. Most abnormalities are calcifications, masses or cysts. During the biopsy, a needle extracts samples of tissue from the abnormality site within the breast. The radiologist must have an image to guide them to the location where the needle should be inserted to reach the abnormality.
The Marcia Ray Breast Center offers two types of biopsy, ultrasound-guided and stereotactic.
Ultrasound-guided biopsy:
Ultrasound-guided biopsies are performed by a board certified radiologist assisted by a mammography technologist and takes approximately 45-60 minutes. Patients lie on their back on a table with their arm behind their head. A radiologist uses an ultrasound machine to locate the mass or cyst to be biopsied. A needle is used to remove samples from the abnormal area.
After this procedure, the patient is asked to refrain from strenuous activity for two days. No sutures are needed; the area the needle was inserted is simply covered with a bandage.
Stereotactic biopsy:
Stereotactic biopsies are also performed by a board certified radiologist assisted by a mammography technologist. When a stereotactic biopsy is performed, the patients lie on their stomach on a table in the procedure room. The breast hangs through an opening in the table and is compressed by a plate. X-rays are taken to determine where the needle should be inserted.
After this procedure, the patient is asked to refrain from strenuous activity for two days. No sutures are needed; the area the needle was inserted is simply covered with a bandage.
Osteoporosis screening
GE Lunar Prodigy Bone Densitometer:
Prodigy's improved technology detects subtle bone changes in a variety of clinical applications and provides Advanced Hip Assessments and Dual Energy Vertebral Assessments.
Achilles InSight:
Osteoporosis testing is now available at the Breast Center as part of a regular health assessment. The Achilles ultrasonometers measure the bone quality of the heel using sound waves. Results are used to indicate osteoporotic fracture risk, aid diagnosis and monitor therapy.
Support services
Breast Cancer Support Group
Support services are available through our monthly Breast Cancer Support Group. Participants include a special group of people who have had breast cancer and can help answer questions and ease your mind about what lies ahead. The support group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
For more information on Breast Center services, please call (818) 502-2323.
