All Services
Breast Health Program
401-788-3850
The clinicians from the Breast Health Program welcome your questions. As a resource for others, the questions and answers will be posted in the Breast Health Program online Q&A library.
Q: Is there a "tumor panel or board' that talks about newly diagnosed patients? My mother was recently diagnosed and I was wondering how much input there was.
A: South County Hospital has a long standing Tumor Board Conference which meets weekly. The attendees include Primary Care Physicians, Pathologists, Radiologists, Surgeons, Radiation Oncologists, Medical Oncologists, the Breast Health Coordinator, Nursing, Pharmacy, Tumor Registrar, and other Physician Subspecialists depending on the specific cases. We discuss virtually all new Breast Cancer cases, as well as, in fact, a selection of challenging Breast cases which are not cancer. Of importance is that we discuss virtually all cases "prospectively," meaning right at the time of diagnosis, and before any major treatments are undertaken, to allow Multidisciplinary input on testing and treatment. This allows the treating physicians – and patient – input from a number of medical disciplines in order to make the best decisions.
–James Smythe, MD, Medical Oncology
Q: How many breast cancer patients do you see a year? STEPHANIE, WESTERLY
A: In 2011, about 120 potential breast cancer cases were seen. Only 37 of those cases resulted in a positive diagnosis. -Sue Hall, RNP, breast health coordinator
Q: How common is it to have nipple discharge (not bloody, just clear whitish/yellow -one side) at age 58?
A: Nipple discharge at any age can indicate a problem. It certainly is quite unusual at age 58, and merits analysis and workup.
–Umberto Capuano, MD, General Surgery
Q: Iam a 5 year cancer survivor who had a rt. breast mastectomy. I do receive lymphedema tratments for my rt. arm periodically for swelling, pain and fullness in my rt. side. For the past month the pain has increased, and I now have very sore tender swellings.
A: Lymphedema patients are best treated by Lisa Diebold, who is a physical therapist at South County Orthopedics (www.scortho.com) and is currently a STAR certified clinician in oncology rehabilitation. You should also continue to be seen by your general surgeon at regular intervals. -Umberto Capuano, MD, general surgeon -Allison McAteer, MD, general surgeon
Q: I have not had health insurance for several years now. I am 51 and have not had a mammogram in 2-3 years. I am self employed and make only about 25,000/yr. Are there any programs at South County Hospital that provide mammograms for uninsured low income women?
A: You should qualify for Womens Cancer Screening Program, which is offered through a variety of Primary Care Physicians and the RI Department of Health (www.health.ri.gov/programs/womenscancerscreening/) -Umberto Capuano, MD, general surgeon -Allison McAteer, MD, general surgeon
A: South County Hospital has a long standing Tumor Board Conference which meets weekly. The attendees include Primary Care Physicians, Pathologists, Radiologists, Surgeons, Radiation Oncologists, Medical Oncologists, the Breast Health Coordinator, Nursing, Pharmacy, Tumor Registrar, and other Physician Subspecialists depending on the specific cases. We discuss virtually all new Breast Cancer cases, as well as, in fact, a selection of challenging Breast cases which are not cancer. Of importance is that we discuss virtually all cases "prospectively," meaning right at the time of diagnosis, and before any major treatments are undertaken, to allow Multidisciplinary input on testing and treatment. This allows the treating physicians – and patient – input from a number of medical disciplines in order to make the best decisions.
–James Smythe, MD, Medical Oncology
Q: How many breast cancer patients do you see a year? STEPHANIE, WESTERLY
A: In 2011, about 120 potential breast cancer cases were seen. Only 37 of those cases resulted in a positive diagnosis. -Sue Hall, RNP, breast health coordinator
Q: How common is it to have nipple discharge (not bloody, just clear whitish/yellow -one side) at age 58?
A: Nipple discharge at any age can indicate a problem. It certainly is quite unusual at age 58, and merits analysis and workup.
–Umberto Capuano, MD, General Surgery
Q: Iam a 5 year cancer survivor who had a rt. breast mastectomy. I do receive lymphedema tratments for my rt. arm periodically for swelling, pain and fullness in my rt. side. For the past month the pain has increased, and I now have very sore tender swellings.
A: Lymphedema patients are best treated by Lisa Diebold, who is a physical therapist at South County Orthopedics (www.scortho.com) and is currently a STAR certified clinician in oncology rehabilitation. You should also continue to be seen by your general surgeon at regular intervals. -Umberto Capuano, MD, general surgeon -Allison McAteer, MD, general surgeon
Q: I have not had health insurance for several years now. I am 51 and have not had a mammogram in 2-3 years. I am self employed and make only about 25,000/yr. Are there any programs at South County Hospital that provide mammograms for uninsured low income women?
A: You should qualify for Womens Cancer Screening Program, which is offered through a variety of Primary Care Physicians and the RI Department of Health (www.health.ri.gov/programs/womenscancerscreening/) -Umberto Capuano, MD, general surgeon -Allison McAteer, MD, general surgeon
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