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John Muir Health Opens Breast Health Center to Enhance Services for the Community and Patients

"The Breast Health Center is designed to be a resource for everyone in our community. We want to increase awareness about breast health, as well as provide information on prevention and treatment of cancer," said Deborah Kerlin, M.D., breast health services medical director at John Muir Health. "For John Muir Health patients, the Breast Health Center is an important part of the continuum of care, allowing physicians, staff and patients to better partner in care planning, resource sharing, education and support."

The Breast Health Center will provide information and a number of resources in a warm and comforting environment, including:

• Education - Information about breast health, breast cancer, nutrition, classes and support groups.
• Nurse Navigators - All of John Muir Health's breast cancer patients have access to a Nurse Navigator who is available to them throughout the continuum of care. The Nurse Navigator becomes a partner in care providing education, support and additional resources.
• Screening – Mammography is still the recommended screening tool as it helps to identify breast cancer at its earliest stages, which generally leads to a very favorable health outcome. Depending on a patient's particular situation, we will recommend the level of screening that is best for them and how often they should be screened. We offer digital mammography at six locations (Walnut Creek (two locations), Concord, San Ramon, Tice Valley/Rossmoor and Brentwood) to enhance access.
• Diagnostic Services – John Muir Health uses all of the most advanced minimally invasive biopsy procedures available, including fine needle aspiration, stereotactic core biopsy, ultrasound-guided breast biopsy, MRI-guided breast biopsy, surgical biopsy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. We help patients determine the right procedure for them.
• Care Planning and Guidance - John Muir Health's recommended treatment plan is based on the specific type of breast cancer and its potential to spread, the stage of a patient's cancer, whether it is localized or metastasized, and the presence of other variables such as hormone receptors, age and other medical conditions. Ultimately, how a patient wishes to be treated is their decision.
• Multidisciplinary Pre-Treatment Conferences – We help patients understand what is available to them and what to expect at every point in their treatment. Then, we have an open discussion about what course of treatment would work best for the patient.
• Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary Tumor Boards - The Tumor Board is a team of medical experts who review complex cases and make treatment recommendations. Consisting of experienced breast surgeons, plastic surgeons, gynecologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists and a genetic counselor, they focus their efforts on designing individualized treatment plans that will improve outcomes for each patient.
• Treatment Options - The advanced breast cancer treatments available at John Muir Health include the full complement of advanced surgical techniques, the most sophisticated radiation oncology options, the newest chemotherapy and hormonal treatments and, if necessary, an experienced team of breast reconstruction plastic surgeons.
• Clinical Trials - Through partnerships with National Cooperative Groups, John Muir Health participates in a number of clinical trials for new treatments of breast cancer.
• Genetic Counseling and Testing - A genetic counselor is available to conduct a detailed evaluation of a patient's family history and, if necessary, recommend a genetic blood test to find out if they are at a higher risk for developing hereditary breast cancer, which accounts for 5-10 percent of all breast cancers. If a patient is at risk, we will discuss prevention options to minimize their chances of getting breast cancer.
• Post-Treatment Survivorship Program - John Muir Health patients have access to a survivorship Nurse Navigator who helps patients adjust to their post-treatment recovery.
• Additional Programs and Services - John Muir Health offers support groups, a breast cancer resource library, counseling and spiritual support, physical therapy/lymphedema program, nutritional counseling, pharmacy services and free wig fittings and wigs through The Wig Source.

"Breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer for women in the United States," said Brenda Carlson, executive director of cancer services at John Muir Health. "Our extensive breast health services offer a great resource for the community, our patients and their loved ones. We have information on routine breast care and a highly specialized team dedicated to providing patients with comprehensive screening and diagnostic capabilities, and advanced treatment for breast cancer."

John Muir Health was 4^th in the nation to be recognized as a Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence by the National Consortium of Breast Centers, its highest level of certification, and is accredited by the National Accreditation Program of Breast Centers (NAPBC) through the American College of Surgeons /Commission on Cancer (ACoS/CoC). Breast centers that have been accredited through the NAPBC have been evaluated by a governing, multidisciplinary board as meeting or exceeding the necessary requirements of quality breast care and maintain high levels of excellence.

For more information about John Muir Health's Breast Health Services, call 925-947-3322 or visit www.johnmuirhealth.com/services/cancer-services.

About John Muir Health

John Muir Health is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health care organization serving patients in Contra Costa, eastern Alameda and southern Solano Counties. It includes a network of 950 primary care and specialty physicians, more than 6,000 employees, medical centers in Concord and Walnut Creek, including the county's only trauma center, and a Behavioral Health Center. The health system also offers a full-range of medical services, including primary care, outpatient, lab and imaging services, and is widely recognized as a leader in many specialties - neurosciences, orthopedic, cancer, cardiovascular, emergency and high-risk obstetrics care. For more information, visit www.johnmuirhealth.com.

John Muir Health
Ashley Wilkerson, 925-947-5384
Ashley.Wilkerson@johnmuirhealth.com
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John Lopez, 510-635-4150
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