New breast center to open at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital

Women will have access to the latest breast health technology in a more comfortable and private environment when the new breast center at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital opens Oct. 1. The center’s opening will culminate more than four months of construction of a 6,000 square-foot space, conveniently located near the main entrance of the hospital. The breast center will be the new home to state-of-the-art mammography, ultrasound imaging for screening and diagnostic exams, and an experienced team of professionals who provide care to women in DeKalb County.

“This comprehensive breast center was built in response to our community’s need for leading breast care,” said Jay Anderson, president of Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee and Valley West Hospitals. “We understand that women are busy, and aimed to help them make their own health care a top priority. By combining our services in one location, women can get the care they need and get back to their careers, their families and their favorite activities.”

DeKalb County has a 65 percent breast cancer screening rate compared to the state average of 78 percent. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, but routine screening and early detection significantly improve five-year survival rates. According to the National Cancer Institute, when breast cancer is diagnosed while in a localized area, the five-year survival rate is 98.8 percent. When breast cancer has already spread when diagnosed, the five-year survival rate drops to 27.4 percent.

The new center will provide services that screen for breast cancer, diagnose it, and support women as they go through the phases of treatment. It will include:

3D mammography
Whole breast ultrasound imaging, stereotactic biopsy, and bone density rooms
Modern waiting area with a nourishment station
Private changing area with a sub-waiting room
Private patient corridor
New staff area, conference room, radiologist reading room and consult rooms

Funding for the new breast center was supported in part by the Northwestern Memorial Foundation.

“Women in our community now have access to a private space that will provide a comfortable experience while they are in our breast center,” said Jeff Dunn, director of diagnostic imaging services at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee and Valley West Hospitals. “Whether coming to us for routine annual screening mammography or for extensive diagnostics, our patients can now come to one location where our amazing team of caregivers will support them at every step.”