FREE Help to Women with a breast cancer diagnosis!
by Charles Kelly
Peoria Republic
Oct. 12, 2005 -
Starting Oct. 20, free second opinions for women
diagnosed with breast cancer will be available in
Glendale from the Scottsdale-based not-for-profit
Arizona Institute for Breast Health.
Bonni Bostian, an AIBH board member, said the
institute was invaluable when a lump on her
breast showed up on a mammogram five years ago
when she was 36. Without the institute, she would have had to
wait six weeks just to see a breast specialist.
Instead, a sympathetic patient advocate helped her
get booked right away for a biopsy and other tests
and helped her through her surgery.
"If a breast-cancer diagnosis can be easy,
AIBH did it," Bostian said.
The pilot program in Glendale will be open on
Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Arizona
Oncology Services Arrowhead Center, 6525 W. Sack Drive.
Chris Fenwick, Executive Director of the institute,
thanked Arizona Oncology Services for "graciously"
donating office space for appointments.
She said a second opinion makes a breast-cancer
victim more certain about which treatment options
are correct for her.
Options include mastectomy, lumpectomy with radiation,
chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Lessard also
stressed that women can protect themselves
best against the ravages of breast
cancer by being checked regularly.
"Early detection is the best protection," she said.
Up to four patients can be seen each week at the
Glendale location. A patient must have been recently
diagnosed with breast cancer and must schedule an
appointment ahead of time by calling (480) 860-4200.
Patients will be checked by a team of physicians
whose specialties include breast radiology, breast
surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology,
reconstructive surgery, breast pathology, oncology
rehabilitation, counseling, nutrition, exercise and
stress management.
Each patient, helped by a patient advocate, will get
a free evaluation and will be told the best medical
and surgical options to preserve their lives, bodies,
emotional well-being and quality of life.
The institute was formed to give women the best
possible treatment for breast cancer. Founded in 1999
by two local physicians, the
institute provides free evaluations and recommendations
at its Scottsdale location at 9055 E. Del Camino Blvd, Scottsdale, 85258.
