St. Luke’s University Health Network has expanded access to diagnostic breast imaging with the opening of a new Women’s Imaging Center at its Bethlehem Campus, part of the network’s continuing effort to provide advanced, individualized care for women across the Lehigh Valley.
“This investment in advanced imaging technology is a reflection of St. Luke’s commitment to providing the very best individualized breast care for each patient based on their unique history and risk factors,” said Michele Brands, Network Director of Women’s Imaging at St. Luke’s.
The new Bethlehem center features advanced diagnostic technology, including:
- Diagnostic mammography using GE HealthCare’s Senographe Pristina, which offers superior 3D breast tomosynthesis accuracy at the same low dose as 2D mammography — the lowest for all breast thicknesses among major systems on the market.
- Stereotactic and ultrasound-guided biopsies
- Diagnostic breast ultrasound
- Screening mammograms
Nationally, wait times for mammography have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. St. Luke’s said the new Bethlehem center will help reduce delays by offering a centrally located diagnostic imaging option for patients.
“St. Luke’s is committed to improving access to mammography and breast ultrasound services for women in the Lehigh Valley,” said Dr. Karl N. Yaeger, Division Chief of Women’s Imaging. “By increasing diagnostic access for patients at the newly renovated Bethlehem campus, we can now expand access to the One Stop Breast Clinic services at the Regional Breast Center in Center Valley.”
In 2022, St. Luke’s became the first and only U.S. health system to operate a One-Stop Clinic for Breast Care, modeled after the successful program at Gustave Roussy Cancer Center in France. The initiative streamlines clinical workflow and shortens the time between diagnosis and treatment planning, improving patient outcomes. The One-Stop Breast Clinic is currently available at St. Luke’s Regional Breast Centers in Center Valley and Monroe County.
“St. Luke’s pioneered a novel approach to integrated breast cancer care with One-Stop Clinic, helping to accelerate the time to diagnosis and treatment with the aim of saving patient lives,” said Pooja Pathak, Vice President and General Manager of Global Mammography at GE HealthCare. “Expanding diagnostic services to Bethlehem is an exciting next step to improving access to care in the community. We are pleased that GE HealthCare’s Senographe Pristina 3D mammography system is helping support St. Luke’s commitment to ensuring patients receive the diagnostic services they need, when they need them.”
