Breast Health, The Cancer Institute at Good Samaritan University Hospital

Comprehensive Breast Health Services in West Islip

Good Samaritan University Hospital Breast Health Center was created in 1993 in response to community concerns and the hospital’s commitment to women and their health care needs. It is the first comprehensive, patient-focused program on Long Island and offers a dynamic multidisciplinary team approach to breast health and breast disease. With early detection, innovative technology and advanced diagnostic and treatment services, more women are surviving breast cancer today. The hospital’s expert oncologists, surgeons, nurses and ancillary medical staff specialize in the treatment of breast disease.

In 2009, the Good Samaritan University Hospital Breast Health Center became the second facility of its kind in New York State to receive a three-year/full accreditation designation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). Administered by the American College of Surgeons, NAPBC accreditation is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of breast care. Reaccredited in 2012, 2015, 2018 and again in 2022, the center has earned the highest scores from the NAPBC for best outcomes in prevention, early detection, treatment and survivorship, as well as for providing individualized supportive services for women at all stages of breast cancer.

The Breast Health Center offers a dynamic, multidisciplinary team approach, with dedicated breast imagers, pathologists, referring physicians, surgeons, radiation and medical oncologists, registered radiological technologists, registered nurses and genetic counselors who provide women with timely, state-of-the-art and compassionate care for breast disease.

Support services are available through various departments, including laboratory, rehabilitation, social work, nutrition, pastoral care, palliative care and home health care. Physicians can also prescribe diagnostic imaging services, including computed tomography (CT) scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), position emission tomography (PET-CT), ultrasound and nuclear medicine.

Women's Imaging

In conjunction with the Good Samaritan University Hospital Breast Health Center, the staff at the Good Samaritan University Hospital Women’s Imaging Center, a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, collaborate with the dedicated breast surgeons, pathologists, referring physicians, and medical and radiation oncology staff at the hospital. The radiologists, nurses, registered radiological technologists and patient navigators have special expertise in all aspects of breast imaging to provide the latest in screening and full-field, digital mammography services. These procedures minimize patient discomfort, while facilitating the most accurate diagnosis for a wide variety of breast abnormalities. 

Cancer Services

The Cancer Institute at Good Samaritan University Hospital offers comprehensive cancer care for all types of cancer at all stages.

Patient Navigation 

The major focus of the Breast Health Center nursing staff continues to be the education and support of patients, families and friends. Good Samaritan University Hospital provides personalized support by staff certified in cancer care and patient navigation. Patients with suspicious findings are referred to the navigator to ensure expedited diagnosis, treatment and quality care. The nurses provide care coordination throughout diagnosis, treatment and recovery. They are the liaison for both the patient and family to the multidisciplinary breast team. This program was specifically designed to help patients overcome barriers to cancer care and navigate the health care system in a compassionate, efficient and effective way. When faced with a diagnosis of cancer, patients are not alone. Good Samaritan Hospital is with them every step of the way.

Education and Support
To help protect women’s health and provide informed decisions, the Breast Health Center offers a comprehensive, patient-focused array of services. These include prevention, early detection and diagnosis, positive reinforcement through counseling and support, and effective treatment using the latest, most advanced procedures and equipment in the battle against breast disease. Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer can overcome their fears and address their concerns through a wide range of counseling and support services. With continuing education of the team, as well as research and clinical trial enrollment, the Breast Health Center also educates the community through lectures, health fairs and screening events.