ROWLETT, TX – April 12, 2010 – What is a Breast Health Nurse Coordinator?  A compassionate and knowledgeable individual to help guide you and answer your questions related to your breast health and/or breast cancer diagnosis.

Barbara Quast, RN, has joined Lake Pointe Health Network as a Breast Health Nurse Coordinator.  As an integral part of the Lake Pointe Breast Center, Barbara brings 25 years of nursing experience, joining a team of physicians and technologists dedicated to the comprehensive care and support of our community.

“Like many women, I have been touched by breast cancer when my mother was diagnosed”, explains Barbara.  “My role as Breast Health Nurse Coordinator is to calmly support the patient and ensure they have all the information they need.  By providing a personal approach to each patient’s care, I look to make a difference in the lives of my patients.”

• Barbara’s role as Breast Health Nurse Coordinator at Lake Pointe is to:
• Counsel women at high-risk for developing breast cancer
• Educate you and your loved ones about your individual diagnosis and treatment options
• Help you make informed decisions about your treatment and care
• Advocate for you during treatment
• Coordinate the team of physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals providing your care
• Help you with your recovery and rehabilitation plans
• Provide moral support and a sympathetic ear
• Provide community education on breast/health and breast cancer
• Facilitate community support programs

The Breast Center includes an American Cancer Society resource center, providing information on prevention, diagnosis and treatment options for all types of cancer and includes both print and web-based resources.  And to help educate our community about breast cancer, Barbara offers the ‘Breast Health for Life’ community outreach program which promotes prevention and early detection while providing information about risk factors, screening guidelines and breast self examination.  In May, Barbara will begin offering a support program called ‘Living Well with Cancer’, providing ongoing education and support to those in our community dealing with cancer. 

For those women visiting the Breast Center, a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment will be conducted, providing both the 5-year and lifetime risk for developing breast cancer.  These risk assessments will also be provided at community events and health fairs in which Lake Pointe participates.  Counseling for women at high-risk, including genetic information and referrals to a genetic counselor, is provided through the Breast Center.

The Lake Pointe Breast Center offers comprehensive breast services including your initial screening and diagnostic digital mammograms; breast ultrasound; biopsies, including stereotactic, ultrasound-guided and MRI-guided biopsies; breast MRI; surgical options, including reconstruction; and can assist with access to medical oncologists and radiation oncologists in our community.  All these services are offered in your community, providing you the convenience and support you need, all right here.

For more information on the Breast Health Nurse Coordinator or the Lake Pointe Breast Center, please contact Barbara Quast, RN at 469-698-7824.  Or for a free physician referral, call 1-866-525-LPMC (5762) or visit our website at www.lakepointemedical.com.

 ABOUT LAKE POINTE MEDICAL CENTER

Lake Pointe Medical Center is a 112-bed acute care hospital located at 6800 Scenic Drive in Rowlett.  Lake Pointe Medical Center has been serving the residents of Rockwall, Rowlett, Royse City and the surrounding communities since 1987.  The hospital provides a wide spectrum of medical services, including an emergency department with Fast Track services, a 14-bed intensive care unit, women's services, a Level II Neonatal Nursery, diagnostic imaging, eight operating rooms and telemetry.  With a medical staff of over 400 physicians, Lake Pointe Medical Center provides a number of specialty services, including cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation, vascular surgery, neurosurgery, neurology, orthopedics, gastroenterology, oncology, infectious disease, general surgery, spine surgery, thoracic surgery, ear nose and throat, pulmonary medicine, urology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and neonatal services.  Lake Pointe also offers wound care, sleep medicine, physical, occupational and speech therapy as well as pulmonary rehabilitation.  The Lake Pointe Urgent Care Center in Rockwall provides quick, convenient care for minor emergencies and illness.  The Lake Pointe Imaging Centers in Forney and Rockwall provide extended imaging services to the community.  In 2009, the hospital received two designations:  a J.D. Power And Associates Distinguished Hospital Program Award for “An Outstanding Patient Experience” for Maternity Services; and two CIGNA Center of Excellence Designations for Laparoscopic Gall Bladder Removal and Vaginal Delivery.  The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency, licensed by the state of Texas and certified for participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  To learn more about Lake Pointe Medical Center, visit www.lakepointemedical.com.