Women's Health Center at Samaritan Hospital

We are proud that the Women's Health Center has been awarded the "Breast Imaging Center of Excellence" designation from the American College of Radiology. The center is the only Breast Imaging Center of Excellence in Rensselaer County, and one of only a few such programs in the greater Capital Region.

 Personalized Breast Care and Mammography Services

* Instruction in breast self-examination (BSE)

* Mammography services accredited by the American College of Radiology

* State-of-the-art digital mammography with ImageChecker, the newest digital technology for analyzing mammography images. ImageChecker can greatly assist in the early detection of breast cancer. In fact, clinical studies have shown that for every 100,000 cancers currently identified during mammography screening in the US, use of the ImageChecker could result in an additional 20, 500 cancers being detected each year.

* Bella Blanket - a protective coverlet helps remove the chill during your mammogram and provides added protection in our sanitary enviornment.

* Breast Ultrasound - featuring eSie Touch Elasticity Imaging which helps distinguish harmless lumps from malignant ones with nearly 100 percent accuracy.

* Breast Biopsy -

• Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy
• Stereotactic breast biopsy

* Breast MRI, utilizing the DynaCAD system, available in Samaritan Hospital's medical imaging department

No More Sleepless Nights!

We believe that you should have "no more sleepless nights" when it comes to your breast health. That means, we meet or exceed national benchmarks for quality breast care, including:

• We will schedule your screening mammogram within 48 hours, as compared to the national benchmark of three business days.
• We will call you within 24 hours if you need to come back into the center for a diagnostic mammogram.
• If you have a diagnostic mammogram, you will receive the results while you are here.
• Our radiologist is available if you need an ultrasound biopsy immediately.
• We provide personalized care if you have a suspicious mammogram. Women's Health Center staff will assist with additional diagnostic tests and treatment, scheduling appointments, and providing emotional and psychological support.
• If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, we will refer you to our caring and concerned patient navigator, an oncology-certified nurse who will guide you through the difficult and often complex journey of living with breast cancer, including referral to comprehensive cancer treatment services .

Osteoporosis Screening

Osteoporosis affects 50 percent of women over 45, and 90 percent over 75. Our center provides:

• Bone mineral density (BMD) osteoporosis screening
• Community education programs to help reduce risk factors, including nutritional counseling, smoking cessation, alcohol management and exercise and fitness.

Keeping You Healthy and Well

To keep you healthy and well, we offer a variety of integrative therapies, including healing touch, hypnotherapy and massage. We also have an expansive library of books, videos, and up-to-the-minute medical journals and periodicals, as well as access to the Internet and assistance with researching women's health topics.

For Uninsured and Underinsured Women

Samaritan Hospital's Women's Health Center participates in the Cancer Services Program which provides free breast screening services, including mammograms and diagnostic breast ultrasound. Through the program, uninsured and underinsured patients without a personal physician are referred to the Northeast Health Primary Care Network for cervical exams, Pap tests and colo-rectal cancer screening.

To schedule a mammogram or bone density screening, please call (518) 271-3288.