Emory Decatur Hospital is expanding its breast surgery services for women in DeKalb County, offering comprehensive care through the Emory Division of Breast Surgery. The hospital has named a new surgical oncologist to lead the service, and officials say the move strengthens the path patients take from screening through treatment.
As reported by Decaturish, Priscilla F. McAuliffe is set to lead the breast surgery service at Emory Decatur Hospital. She is a board-certified breast surgical oncologist holding MD, PhD and FACS credentials, and she also serves as an associate professor in the Division of Breast Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine. McAuliffe completed a surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, per the outlet's report, and works closely with Winship Cancer Institute's multidisciplinary breast cancer team.
According to Decaturish, McAuliffe treats conditions ranging from non-invasive disease to locally advanced breast cancer, and she says she aims to provide an individualized treatment plan for each patient. The outlet's report also notes she has a special interest in caring for patients with invasive lobular breast cancer and those diagnosed after age 70.
A Fuller Range of Services Under One Roof
The Emory Division of Breast Surgery provides multidisciplinary cancer care along with the full scope of breast care and surgical services, the same report states. Jen Schuck, chief executive officer of Emory Decatur, Emory Hillandale and Emory Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals, said Emory Decatur is expanding the care available to women in DeKalb County during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Per Jen Schuck, the breast surgery division at Emory Decatur Hospital strengthens the breast care continuum from screening and risk assessment all the way through surgery, keeping that care within the community.
Breast cancer patients in DeKalb County can now seek comprehensive breast surgery at Emory Decatur Hospital, located at 2701 North Decatur Road in Decatur, Georgia, the Decaturish report notes. Patients can schedule breast care services by calling 404-778-3307.
Screening and Imaging Already Available on Campus
The hospital's existing Comprehensive Breast Center, housed on the first floor of the 2665 Professional Office Building on the Emory Decatur Hospital campus, focuses on early detection and treatment of breast disease, according to emoryhealthcare.org. Its Diagnostic Breast Center offers screening and diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasound, stereotactic biopsy and MRI. The center keeps hours from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, and appointments can be scheduled by calling 404-778-7465.
Emory's broader breast surgery and surgical oncology practice offers a variety of services and treatments, per emoryhealthcare.org.
Screening Guidance and High-Risk Options Through Winship
Beyond Decatur, Emory's Winship Cancer Institute provides breast cancer screening, mammography, breast MRI and personalized screening plans for both average- and high-risk individuals, according to winshipcancer.emory.edu. Winship recommends that women at average risk begin annual mammograms at age 40, and the institute uses combined 2-D and 3-D mammography at each of its locations.
Breast MRI may be recommended for women at high risk for breast cancer, for some women with dense breasts and additional risk factors, or for those needing further evaluation after other imaging, the Winship site explains. Eligible patients, including those with a first-degree relative diagnosed with breast cancer or a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, may qualify for Winship's High-Risk Breast and Gynecologic Clinic. That clinic provides genetic counseling, tailored screenings and prevention plans, Winship's clinics and centers page notes, while the institute's general hematology and medical oncology clinics combine the best aspects of community and academic oncology within one medical system.
