Breast Care Center

Breast Health Services in Knox County & Surrounding Areas

At Good Samaritan’s Breast Care Center we are dedicated to the early detection of breast cancer. Equipped with the most advanced breast care technology available, the Breast Care Center is a comprehensive, patient-centered unit specifically focused on diseases and disorders of the breast. We are proud to be recognized as Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.

Online Scheduling:

Schedule Online: There are two mammography rooms available for online scheduling. Please schedule in either GSH Mamm 1 or GSH Mamm 2, not both.

GSH Mamm 1 Open Schedule

GSH MAMM 2 Open Schedule

Location:

520 S. Seventh Street
Located inside the Health Pavilion at 8th and Prairie
812- 885-3627
Scheduling: 812-885-3353

Click here to learn about our Multidisciplinary Clinic

The center’s experienced, multi-disciplinary team creates an individualized treatment plan for each patient and then supports the patient throughout the course of treatment. Our services include everything from routine screening mammograms to breast biopsies and surgery. You will be cared for by experienced on-site navigators, registered mammography and ultrasound technologists, surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, pathologists, physical therapists and social workers.

Meet Our Breast Care Center Providers

Allison Thomas, MD
General Surgeon

Bradly Vo, MD
General Surgeon

Melissa Lough, NP
Breast Surgery
Nurse Practitioner

April Cox, DO
Radiologist

You can contact our breast surgical services team at 812-885-3003. To reach the women’s imaging department, call 812-885-3627.

Our Breast Health Services

Good Samaritan is a leader in using state-of-the-art technology for diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Our services include:

3-D Mammography (Breast Tomosynthesis) - A mammogram is a safe, accurate diagnostic test that helps trained experts spot abnormalities. The American College of Radiology recommends that women over age 40 have mammograms on a yearly basis.
SmartCurve Breast Stabilization - The new technology features a curved surface that mirrors the shape of a woman's breast to reduce pinching and allow better distribution of force over the entire breast.
Breast Biopsy - If an abnormality appears on your mammogram, a biopsy may be necessary to rule out a serious health concern. We offer a variety of biopsy procedures: stereotactic breast biopsy, MRI breast biopsy, ultrasound guided biopsy, and needle localization.
Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) - Good Samaritan is one of the first hospitals in Indiana to offer this innovative technology for the diagnosis of breast cancer. BSGI can detect cancers as small as a grain of sand in a simple, noninvasive procedure.
Breast ultrasound - This technology uses sound waves to outline a part of the body. A computer picks up the sound waves and translates them into an image that can be displayed on a computer screen. The process is painless and noninvasive.
Breast MRI - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of the structures within the breast.
Breast Health Navigator - Patient navigation helps guide patients through and around barriers in the complex cancer care system to help ensure timely diagnosis, treatment, and support.
Automated Breast Ultrasound - This technology is a supplemental option for women with dense breast tissue. When used in addition to mammography, automated breast ultrasound can improve breast cancer detection by 37.5% over mammography alone.

What is 3-D Mammography?

We’re very proud to offer 3-D tomosynthesis mammography, a new technology that takes multiple images, very similar to a CT scan, which provides a three-dimensional image of the breast. It allows us to pinpoint and treat tumors that are too small to detect through other methods. Through grants from Susan G. Komen, we are able to provide free screening mammograms to people who qualify for this assistance. At Good Samaritan, we are committed to ensuring that women in Knox and surrounding counties receive annual mammograms regardless of their ability to pay for them.

Screening Guidelines

The American College of Radiology recommends that women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and continue to do so for as long as they are in good health, able to undergo the examination and willing to undergo additional testing, including biopsy, if an abnormality is detected.

To schedule an appointment at the Breast Care Center, call 812-885-3353. Evening appointments are available on Thursdays!

Breast Cancer Information

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Women who have the following are at higher risk for developing breast cancer.

Strong family history
Genetic predisposition such as BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutation
History of chest or mantle radiation at a young age
History of breast cancer or atypia at biopsy

Take this risk assessment to learn about your risk for breast cancer. Breast Cancer Risk Assessment

How the COVID-19 Vaccination Can Affect Your Mammogram

You may experience enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit after a recent COVID-19 vaccination. This is considered a normal reaction to the vaccine. If enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit show up on your mammogram, it may require us to take additional mammogram images or ultrasound.

Based on the Society of Breast Imaging recommendations you should schedule your screening (no breast problems) mammogram BEFORE your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination or 6 weeks following your second dose of a COVID-19 vaccination.

Do not delay contacting your physician and having a diagnostic mammogram if you are experiencing any breast problems.

Men Can Get Breast Cancer Too

Believe it or not, men can get breast cancer - though it is rare. 1 in 833 men will develop breast cancer.

Risk factors for male breast cancer include:

Growing older - As with women, risk increases with age.
High estrogen levels
Klinefelter syndrome
A strong family history of breast cancer or genetic mutations - Family history can increase risk, especially if other men in the family had breast cancer. The risk is also higher in men who inherit abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
Radiation exposure during childhood - if a man had been treated with radiation to the chest during childhood, he is at higher risk.

Most men diagnosed have no known risk factors. However, if you have any of these risk factors talk to your doctors about possible risk assessment and ways you can decrease your risk.

Men may also be less likely to report signs and symptoms, resulting in a delayed diagnosis. If you develop a painless breast lump, thickening, or any changes in the skin or nipple, see your doctor right away. You can also perform a breast self-exam.