The Women's Health Department at Henry Ford Medical Center - Cottage is a comprehensive, neighborhood, program which offers sophisticated services in a convenient, comfortable environment, which is safe and easy to access. Cottage offers women private, inpatient rooms, covered parking adjacent to the hospital, and inside, physicians, nursing and professional staff are trained and interested in women's healthcare. Women are assured the care they need is available at Cottage or through the Henry Ford Health System.
The Women's Health Department is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary service where the patient always comes first. We offer a full range of women's surgical services, radiation oncology, infusion, chemotherapy services, wound care, a 24-hour ER, and inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services. Our team-of-experts has the experience to give you the best care, using the most up-to-date treatments, in a convenient location - making it a one-stop destination for most women's health needs.
The special services for women offered at Henry Ford Medical Center - Cottage include:
Mammography Digital and film-screening mammograms are performed in the private setting of the Mary Gene Buhl Oppermann Women's Diagnostic Center. Women enter into the test area through a private dressing room. Once inside the testing area, the expert technicians use mammopads to cushion the machine, providing superior comfort while allowing a clear view for more accurate results.
When reading a mammogram, the radiologist looks for calcifications and masses. Calcifications are fine-to-coarse mineral deposits in the breast tissue that look like small white spots on the film. The character and arrangement of the calcifications may indicate how likely it is that cancer is present, but their existence does not automatically signal cancer. Masses can be many things, including cysts (non-cancerous fluid-filled sacs) and non-cancerous solid tumors such as fibroadenomas.
If a screening mammogram detects something suspicious, the Radiology Department has more tools to aid in diagnosis.
Mammogram results are sent to the woman's doctor, regardless of hospital affiliation.
Ultrasound Four-dimensional ultrasound is used to image the abdomen, pelvis and breast, and to provide an expectant mother's first baby photo.
Minimally Invasive Breast Biopsy When the results of a mammogram or ultrasound reveal a concern, the next step is may be to biopsy the suspicious area to detect abnormal or cancerous cells. Breast biopsies are done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. Since, Minimally Invasive Breast Biopsy involves only a needle (without scarring or suturing); patients can drive themselves to and from their appointment.
Nurse Breast Care Coordinator For many women, an abnormal mammogram sets off a stressful time. Our Breast Care Coordinator is a registered nurse who assists patients with all aspects of care related to breast health. Any woman who has a mammogram and needs further testing receives the assistance of the Breast Care Coordinator to assist with the following:
Explain results and the follow-up steps in testing or treatment
Schedules next appointment for the patient
Depending on results, arranges further testing or treatment
Bone Densitometry The key to preventing broken bones as women age is measuring bone density and osteoporosis risk. Our machines use special x-rays to measure calcium and mineral levels in a woman's bones. Once identified, our department can assist women with low bone density to take steps to slow the progression of osteoporosis
