Memorial Breast Cancer Center Expands West with New Image Recovery Center

Tuesday, April 15 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


(Pembroke Pines, Fla.) — Cancer patients in the tri-county area and beyond now have the tools to fight the side-effects of cancer treatment that can adversely affect their image. These tools are a key component of the newly expanded Memorial Breast Cancer Center, which recently opened a second location at Memorial Hospital West to better serve its growing patient population.

The new facility includes the addition of an Image Recovery Center, a hospital-based appearance enhancement program, designed to help patients prepare for the appearance changes expected due to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery.

“Since we opened the first Breast Cancer Center, we have seen a steady increase of breast cancer cases in our county, and this west expansion will help us to better serve the population who live west and north of us,” said Dr. Sandra Franco, co-director of the Memorial Breast Cancer Center. “The Image Recovery Center will provide our patients, and those being treated for other cancers, the ability to maintain their looks during cancer treatment, but most importantly, it will help them maintain their dignity and self-esteem that is often swept away by cancer.”

The new Memorial Breast Cancer Center and Image Recovery Center are located at Memorial Hospital West’s Medical Office Building in a combined space of 8,000 square feet. The new Breast Cancer Center has 10 infusion suites, four exam rooms and two doctor’s offices, in addition to a lab and pharmacy where chemotherapy is mixed on site. It maintains the same amenities as its east counterpart, including wireless network, phone access and television for the use of its patients.

On the Image Recovery side, the space sports two beauty salon stations, a waiting area and reception area. It has the ambiance of a spa, providing services such as acupuncture, massage and aromatherapy, with all the products clinically proven to be gentle for the use of immune compromised cancer patients. In addition, patients have access to an array of wigs, prosthesis and products to enhance or maintain the image the patient had prior to starting cancer treatment.

“The idea of having both Centers together was to create a one-stop shop for cancer patients who are being treated for breast cancer and need to address the changes they are experiencing through treatment,” said Dr. Alejandra Perez, co-director of the Memorial Breast Cancer Center. “The beauty of the Image Recovery Center is that it will also provide services to any cancer patient despite diagnosis because when it comes to cancer treatment the side-effects are universal.”

The new Memorial Breast Cancer and Image Recovery Center are located at 603 N. Flamingo Road, Suite 157 and Suite 159, respectively. The first Memorial Breast Cancer Center opened in March 2005 in Hollywood, providing a multi-disciplinary approach to breast cancer treatment. The Memorial Breast Cancer Center is part of the Memorial Cancer Institute, the leading cancer program in Broward County. The multi-specialty Institute provides outstanding patient care through advanced diagnostics, cutting-edge treatment modalities and compassionate, personalized attention.

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