New Breast Clinic offers 'one-stop shop' for breast care

The American Hospital Dubai has established a new ‘Breast Clinic’ in direct response to the growing need for greater awareness about the importance of breast care, amongst women of all ages. The successful diagnosis, treatment and management of breast health problems, most of which are benign (non malignant not cancerous) demands the collective professional input and expert care of a team of highly qualified medical professionals.

The new 'Breast Clinic' has assembled a formidable team of specialists to work together on all the hospital’s breast related cases and to offer a one-stop shop solution to patients, from breast education to plastic surgery and physiotherapy. The approach ensures that every clinic patient has a team of world class experts working with her.

"The Breast Clinic has established a new benchmark in the diagnosis, treatment and management of breast diseases in the region, "explains Dr Persha Nayak, Specialist in General Surgery at the American Hospital Dubai.” Through the new clinic, we are putting the patient firmly at the centre of the process and building a flexible, multidisciplinary team around her, in order to create the best possible conditions for a successful outcome. This approach is distinctive to the American Hospital Dubai and will result in fast, accurate diagnosis and a collaborative approach to patient treatment and management."

The Breast Clinic team includes specialists in radiology, pathology, oncology, plastic surgery, pharmacy, physiotherapy, psychology and breast awareness education. "The new clinic brings together a highly qualified group of American board certified, physicians and other health care specialists who will coordinate their work on breast diseases as a single multidisciplinary team, providing care to the highest international standards," adds Dr Nayak.

In 80-90 per cent of cases, breast health concerns are benign and the aim of the Breast Clinic is to ensure fast response for the patient to help relieve the anxiety of the situation. Jane Finch, Breast Clinic Manager and herself a Breast Care Specialist, explains: "The clinic's work starts even before there is a health problem. Breast awareness through education classes, covering self examination, will be offered by the clinic."

Dr Aaron Han, Director of Pathology, stresses the benefits of coordinating the diagnostic testing for breast health problems: “The Breast Clinic will allow us to undertake all the patient tests over the course of one clinic visit, which means more patient convenience and a quicker diagnosis. For those women who do need to undergo treatment, the Breast Clinic team will quickly map out the treatment plan and start the management as early as possible thus ensuring the best outcome .”

Pathologist on the Breast Clinic team, Dr. Reem El Bahtimi, adds: “The range of diagnostic tests offered by the clinic is very comprehensive and together, all the specialists on the team meet to review the results and discuss prognostic factors.”

“The benefits of this one-stop-shop approach to breast care include speed, accuracy and convenience for the patient,” says Dr Andre Rizk, Specialist Oncologist on the team. “Every case will be reviewed by the team which means that the patient gets the benefit of a broad range of specialist opinions, all contributing towards the planning and management of the treatment journey for the patient, whether the health problem is benign or malignant.”

Patients who have already been diagnosed with breast disease (whether benign or malignant) often want to seek a second opinion and the Breast Clinic offers this opportunity with the benefit of its multidisciplinary team approach which is the highest standard in treating breast diseases.

In addition to diagnosis, treatment and management, the Breast Clinic will also be active in breast awareness education and in the encouragement of a support group for patients. “Our breast awareness package includes a range of tools such as regular breast self examination, clinical examination and professional screening (mammography),” adds Breast Clinic Manager, Jane Finch.

 Click here to view clinic hours, consultation fees and physicians details.