Comprehensive Breast Cancer Care
Westchester Medical Center is home to a comprehensive breast cancer care program that is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). The Radiation Oncology Program has ASTRO APEx Accreditation from the American Society for Radiation Oncology, as well as ACRO accreditation from American College of Radiation Oncology Accreditation Program.
Our multidisciplinary program, under the leadership of Breast Program Director Christine Pellegrino, MD, includes teams specializing in:
- Medical Oncology
- Breast Surgery
- Breast Imaging
- Plastic Surgery
- Radiation Oncology
- Pathology
These breast cancer teams collaborate to provide advanced treatment options and advanced technology needed for accurate screening and diagnosis of breast disease. Together, along with physician assistants, oncology-trained nurses, therapists and social workers, our breast cancer specialists are dedicated to delivering personalized, quality care.
In addition to treating breast cancer of all stages, the center offers a high-risk program dedicated to preventive care for women, providing assessment, personalized screening and recommendations for those considered high risk.
Extending Care to the North
Medical oncology, breast imaging, pathology, and breast surgery services are available at The Herb & Sue Ann Redl Center for Cancer Care at MidHudson Regional Hospital. Radiation oncology care is provided to patients throughout the region through our partner locations.
Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Westchester Medical Center’s Breast Imaging Center is designated as an ACR Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. Breast imaging specialists use a variety of modalities for detecting and diagnosing breast lumps and cancers, including breast MRI, MRI-guided breast biopsy, ultrasound-guided breast biopsy, and mammographic correlation.
The Breast Center imaging suite features an advanced 3D mammography and tomosynthesis unit, which produces high quality 3D images that decrease the need for additional screenings and increase accuracy in cancer detection. Services offered include:
- Digital breast tomosynthesis (3-D Mammography)
- Low-dose digital mammograms
- Ultrasound-guided and stereotactic-guided breast biopsies
- Sonohysterograms
- Breast sonograms (ultrasounds)
- Breast MRIs
- Bone density testing
Expert Guidance, Every Step of the Way
The Breast Patient Navigation Program provides coordinated care among physicians, diagnostic tests, and cancer treatments, while offering education, guidance and support from screening through surgical intervention and on to survivorship.
Our Tumor Board, comprised of physicians who are accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, provides regular multidisciplinary reviews of all cancer cases to determine the best treatment plan and ensure coordinated care. The board includes surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists, as well as specialists from radiology, pathology, clinical nutrition, oncology support, oncology nursing, patient navigation, quality and safety. Certified cancer registrars document all patient histories, diagnoses, treatments and status of care.
Our integrated breast practice allows multispecialty cancer treatment by a team of experts to provide multidisciplinary, personalized care. The center is widely recognized for its personalized and integrative approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Advanced Breast Surgery Care
The surgical team specializes in a variety of breast procedures, including:
- Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
- Partial Mastectomy
- Total Mastectomy
- Modified Radical Mastectomy
- Radical Mastectomy
- Skin-Sparing Mastectomy
- Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
Procedures are done by breast surgeons who are certified by the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS).
Plastic and reconstructive surgery is offered for cancer and prophylactic surgeries to include:
- Oncoplastic surgery
- Tissue expander and implant placement
- TRAM (Transverse Rectus Abdominus Myocutaneous) flap technique
- LATIS (Latissimus Dorsi) flap technique
- DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforators) flap technique
Support for Breast Cancer Patients and Caregivers
Westchester Medical Center partners with several organizations who provide support for individuals with breast cancer and their caregivers.
American Cancer Society
Reach to Recovery: Individual virtual connection with other survivors (text, phone, email, or video chat). Spanish volunteers are available 24/7. Visit www.reach.cancer.org.
Cancer Support Team
Call 914.777.2777 or visit www.cancersupportteam.org.
Cancer Care
Offering various patient support groups (online), caregiver support groups, and bereavement support groups. Visit www.cancercare.org/support_groups.
Gilda's Club
Gilda’s Club hosts four breast cancer groups, including a group for young women with breast cancer, a survivorship series, a post-treatment group, several Living with Cancer groups, and caregiver groups. Additionally, Gilda’s Club offers meditation, yoga, and stress reduction classes, as well as social and creative activities.
For more information, call 914.644.8844 or visit www.gildasclubwestchester.org.
Education and Community Outreach
We routinely offer breast disease education, prevention and early detection programs to the community. Our education outreach encourages:
- Risk reduction through lifestyle modification or chemoprevention
- Breast cancer awareness
- Breast care education
- Genetic counseling in high-risk populations
- Screening mammography and clinical examinations
We follow American Cancer Society (ACS), American College of Radiology (ACR) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN) Mammography Screening Guidelines.
To refer a patient or request an appointment, please contact us. For the Breast Clinic, please call 914.775.8900.
To reach our Patient Navigator, Myrna Oliveras, call 914.246.6600.
The Cancer Center at Westchester Medical Center
19 Bradhurst Avenue
Suite 2575 South
Hawthorne, NY 10532
914.246.6600
WMCHealth Physicians: Advanced Comprehensive Breast Health
19 Bradhurst Avenue
Suite 2550 South
Hawthorne, NY 10532
914.775.8900
The Ambulatory Care Pavilion at Westchester Medical Center
100 Woods Road
Valhalla, NY10595
914.775.8900
Westchester Medical Center – Breast Imaging
19 Bradhurst Avenue
Suite 3700
Hawthorne, NY 10535
914.493.2500
MidHudson Regional Hospital
241 North Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
845.483.5000
For more information, visit the Women’s Imaging Center at MidHudson Regional Hospital.
Meet the physicians in Westchester Medical Center's Breast Care Program.
Medical Oncology
Christine Pellegrino, MD '“ Breast Program Director
Tauseef Ahmed, MD
Carmelo Puccio, MD
Advanced Imaging
Katharine Maglione, MD
Plastic Surgery
Helen Perakis, MD
Radiation Oncology
Aviva Berkowitz, MD
Pathology
Xiayou Tang, MD
Medical Genetics
Elizabeth Lim-Melia, MD
Social Work
Cynthia Kamajian-Duncan, MSW, LMSW, OSW-C
Lymphedema Support
Jeanne Campbell, MSOTR