SSM Breast Care at St. Clare Health Center 

SSM Breast Care at St. Clare Health Center addresses the full spectrum of breast diseases, including new breast masses, abnormal mammograms, breast cancer and breast pain.

The center provides comprehensive services for women – from initial screening and diagnosis to treatment and support. SSM Breast Care offers a range of advanced diagnostic tools and an experienced, multidisciplinary team of mammography technicians, radiologists, nurse navigators and breast surgeons.

Ease of service
Getting a mammogram or other screening at St. Clare is easy. Enter the St. Francis Building – 1011 Bowles Ave. on the St. Clare campus – and take the elevator to the Garden Level. You can walk in any time during the work week; scheduling an appointment is not necessary.

SSM Breast Care also offers evening and weekend hours; however, appointments are needed during these times. For more information, call 636-496-2800.

Because St. Clare offers comprehensive women’s health services, patients often are able to have follow-up testing done right away, if needed.

SSM Breast Care services:

• Digital Mammography
• Breast Ultrasound
• MRI Breast Imaging
• Ultrasound-guided and MRI-guided Breast Biopsy
• Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
• Surgical Options, such as Mastectomy and Breast Conservation Surgery (lumpectomy or partial mastectomy)
• Radiation Therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hormone Therapy
• Bone Density Screenings

The digital mammography system features Computer Aided Detection (CAD), which has proven to be an important tool in early detection. Digital mammography is performed in the same way as a traditional mammogram, but uses less radiation and provides shorter exam times and faster, more accurate results for our SSM Breast Care patients.

Treatment
For patients needing radiation therapy or chemotherapy, SSM Cancer Care is located right across the hall. SSM Breast Care and SSM Cancer Care partner together to create a more seamless, integrated, efficient experience for patients and to achieve the best results. To learn more about our cancer services, visit SSM Cancer Care.

For those requiring surgery, two surgeons specializing in breast diseases – Hilary Shapiro-Wright, D.O., and Stephanie Schnepp, M.D. – partner with SSM Breast Care. To learn more, visit SSM Breast Care.

Navigating Your Way
SSM Breast Care employs a nurse navigator who works one-on-one with women and families. The navigator helps coordinate treatment services, acts as a liaison with providers and informs patients about community resources.

Support Programs
Women Supporting Women, a monthly breast cancer support group, meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in St. Clare Health Center's Education & Conference Center. For more information, contact the facilitator, Cathie Albers, M.S.N., at 636-496-4620.

Helping the Uninsured & Underinsured
Free mammograms and breast health education are available at St. Clare for women who qualify for the Women’s Information and Screening Endeavor (WISE) program. The WISE program is supported by a grant from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure St. Louis Affiliate.