Breast Diagnostic Center

Vasek & Anna Maria Polak Breast Diagnostic Center

Torrance Memorial Medical Center wishes to express its continued gratitude to Vasek Polak. Through his generosity he has left a legacy for the health of the residents of the South Bay. Learn more about this extraordinary man.

Torrance Memorial Medical Center wishes to express its continued gratitude to Vasek Polak. Through his generosity he has left a legacy for the health of the residents of the South Bay. To learn more about this extraordinary man, click on his name above. Because breast cancer is one of the leading cancers in women, Torrance Memorial Breast Diagnostic Center opened in 1986 to help women safeguard their health. Our goal is to take an active role in women's healthcare by providing a full scope of services for maintaining breast health, including education, diagnosis, treatment and support. Our goal is to aid in the early detection of breast disease. Through early detection, women with breast cancer have the best chance for full recovery and preservation of the affected breast. The Polak Breast Diagnostic Center provides a full range of diagnostic services in our convenient and comfortable Torrance location. Screening mammography services are also available at our satellite locations in Carson and Manhattan Beach. Staffed by women, the centers cater to women's needs for personal, friendly care.

To maintain breast health, we recommend a three-part approach.

• Physician Exam
• Breast Self-Exam
• Mammography

OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING

The Polak Breast Diagnostic Center also offers osteoporosis screening. Osteoporosis, which means "porous bones," results from a gradual loss of bone substance. While thinning and increased brittleness of bone occurs naturally with aging, certain risk factors contribute to the degree of osteoporosis a person might experience. Women are at much greater risk of developing osteoporosis than men.

The disease can weaken the skeleton so much that even the slightest force against a bone may cause it to break. The consequences of untreated osteoporosis may be an occurrence of fractures, pain, loss of independence, disfigurement, and even death.

It is no longer the case that the first "symptom" of osteoporosis must be a fracture. With what is known about this condition, a person's risk can be determined early in life, so steps can be taken to manage factors over which we have control, such as diet and exercise. Furthermore, for people who are at risk, a screening can be performed that determines the mass and density of the bones and indicates the extent of disease that might be expected to occur. This screening can be performed using a radiologic device called a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry densitometer which scans the spine and hip for the measurement of bone density while the patient lies comfortably on an exam table. Another method of screening, ultrasound bone densitometry, is also available. This method evaluates bone density based on an ultrasound measurement of the calcaneus [heel bone], the only peripheral site proven in numerous prospective studies to predict fracture risk.

For more information about Osteoporosis screening, please call 310-517-4709.

EDUCATION AND SUPPORT

BREAST EXAMINATION TRAINING CENTER

Torrance Memorial provides the Breast Examination Training Center as a free community service to teach women the art of Breast Self-Examination. This program has been offered since 1980 in order to help women recognize the early signs of breast disease. Specially trained nurses provide instruction and education on an individual basis. Appointments may be scheduled in conjunction with your mammogram at either the Torrance, Carson or Manhattan Beach location. For more information, call 310-517-4709.

APPOINTMENTS AND PAYMENT

Your doctor may refer you for a mammogram or you may make an appointment yourself. If you call to schedule your own mammogram, we will ask you for the name of the physician who will receive the results. For other tests performed at the center, a physician order is required. Should you need assistance, please call us.

Many insurance companies pay for mammography, particularly if ordered by your physician. We recommend you check with your insurance company or employer prior to having your mammogram. Please bring your insurance information with you to your appointment.

HOURS:

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and evening appointments are also available.
For appointments, call Centralized Scheduling, 310-517-4738.
For more information, call 310-517-4709

LOCATIONS:

FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL: 310-517-4738