All types of minimally invasive biopsies are available and can be performed at City of Hope. By offering on-site services such as these you have the biopsy scheduled and learn the results more quickly.

At City of Hope, we have the ability to do additional mammographic film views of the breast, as well as Ultrasound and MRI scanning, should there be any concern with initial findings.

City of Hope does not offer routine pap smears. However, a referral can be made to our gynecology department if you are: already a patient, at high risk, on Tamoxifen with irregular bleeding, or having abnormal side effects from other hormonal therapy.

Yes, City of Hope offers digital mammography and also computer-assisted detection software to further aid radiologists in detecting cancerous changes on mammography.

 

We hope this information helps you to make an informed decision about mammography that is right for you.  If you have any other questions, please feel free to speak to one of our imaging technologists at the Women's Health Center.

The key to doing a BSE is “knowing your own breast.” At the Breast Center we provide informative brochures on the process of BSE. Please ask the staff if you need additional instruction.

A recently completed study concludes that digital mammography is more effective for detecting cancer in younger women and those with dense breast tissue. For other women, there was no significant difference between digital and conventional mammography.

This large multi-institution study, sponsored by the American College of Radiology, was the first to show superiority of digital mammography. Prior smaller studies had shown the two methods to be equally effective in finding cancer.

 

Mammography is the most beneficial and reliable screening test of all cancer screening. Although not the “perfect test”, a mammogram can detect cancer growing long before any type of physical examination allows a growth to be felt. City of Hope follows the American Cancer Society guidelines and National Cancer Center Network (NCCN) believes that yearly mammograms are necessary for women over 40.

The majority of hospitals and breast imaging centers do not yet offer digital mammography, so your provider options will be more limited. If you are in one of the groups for which digital  mammography may be more effective (under age 50, have dense breasts, or are pre-menopausal), you may want to consider having your mammogram at a facility that offers digital mammography. Otherwise, there is no reason for you to choose digital over conventional mammography.

There has been a lot of publicity about digital mammography recently, and there is a lot of information available.

Your doctor will receive a report outlining the concerns and conditions noted on the abnormal mammogram. Included in the report will be recommendations for further diagnostic evaluation and studies. You should follow the recommendations as closely and quickly as possible. Upon additional reviews and a more comprehensive evaluation, most suspicious areas are found to be benign.

After checking that City of Hope treats your cancer or other diagnosis, you can contact New Patient Services by calling 800-826-HOPE (4673) or by completing the online request form to begin the process.

City of Hope offers in-person medical evaluations only.

If you are a member of an HMO, you will need to obtain written authorization from your primary care provider or medical group in order to be seen at City of Hope.

You can access Clinical Trials Online to find out about clinical trials that are being conducted at City of Hope right away; but you must first be seen by a doctor to discuss whether you are eligible to participate in a specific trial. Once the patient has been seen by a City of Hope physician, he or she will be provided with information about treatment and can inquire about clinical trials.

City of Hope does not offer routine pap smears. However, a referral can be made to our gynecology department if you are: already a patient, at high risk, on Tamoxifen with irregular bleeding, or having abnormal side effects from other hormonal therapy.

Patient Referral counselors, who can be reached at 800-826-HOPE (4673), triage patient information and place referring physicians in contact with City of Hope physicians to discuss appropriate treatment options and/or clinical trials. To consult with a specific City of Hope physician, please contact the City of Hope operator at 626-256-HOPE (4673) to be connected directly to the physician’s office.

A listing of our active clinical trials are available online. To speak with one of our care professionals about treatment at City of Hope, contact our New Patient Services online or call us at 800-826-HOPE (4673).

If you practice in the United States, please call us at 1-800-826-HOPE (4673), or by email at referapatient@coh.org.

Physicians from outside the US can also refer a patient by calling 1-800-826-HOPE or emailing referapatient@coh.org. Because of the level of detail necessary to make an evaluation, as well as time differences, it may be preferable to use email as your first contact. Please be prepared to provide a complete clinical history so a treatment plan can be prepared and tentative cost can be evaluated. Note that international patients will be responsible for 100% of anticipated charges before an appointment for consultation can be scheduled.

After completing the online request form or calling 800-826-HOPE (4673), a New Patient Specialist will ask you a few questions about yourself, your disease, and your insurance. While all New Patient Specialists are carefully trained to initiate the process of becoming a patient, they are unable to answer specific questions about your illness or treatment. Then, a nurse will call you to verify your insurance eligibility and obtain a more detailed medical history.

Patients from outside the Greater Los Angeles area can come to City of Hope if they have a diagnosis that City of Hope treats, the disease is at a stage of disease at which City of Hope intervenes, and the patient is at no risk from any travel required to reach City of Hope. Applicants and their families must be prepared for the possibility of a lengthy stay at or near City of Hope, with consideration given to housing, familial support systems, food, etc.

If you wish to receive treatment at City of Hope but we do not currently contract with your insurance plan, contact your insurance company and ask about obtaining authorization to receive treatment here. Every medical situation – and every insurance plan – is different, and there is no guarantee that coverage can be secured. But it is reasonable to make this request, and to ask your insurance company to review the matter with City of Hope directly. Patients can also pay for their treatment. Full payment of anticipated expense is due at the first appointment, and includes (but may not be restricted to) costs for treatment, pharmaceuticals, and home care support.

When a New Patient Specialist first contacts you, you will be asked to provide the name of your insurance company or managed care provider and confirm whether you are part of a medical group.

A patient participating in a clinical trial typically receives a promising new treatment that needs to be investigated in order to receive government approval. For many patients facing life-threatening diseases who have exhausted the available treatment options, clinical trials offer new hope for survival. 

The range of trials available today is extremely broad. Although many trials focus on patients with more advanced disease, a significant number of studies fall into areas such as screening techniques, early disease treatment and alleviation of symptoms.

All clinical trials have specific guidelines for participant eligibility. These guidelines are based on such factors as type of disease, age, medical history and current medical condition. Before entering into a clinical trial, you must meet the criteria for the study.

The benefits and risks
Participating in a clinical trial can be a way of helping yourself and others. Patients who participate in a clinical trial often feel they are taking a more active role in their care. In a clinical trial, participants have access to new drugs and treatments before they are widely available. Because controlling and recording all factors is critical to the trial’s success, participants get excellent attention and are closely monitored and cared for. In addition, the data gathered from the trial can go on to benefit others.

There are risks to participating in clinical trials that must be weighed against the potential benefits. There may be some unpleasant or serious side effects from treatment. The trial may take a lot of time with repeat hospital visits, additional treatments and involved dosages. And the treatment may not end up being effective for the person participating.

City of Hope will work with your patient and his or her insurance to verify benefits and coverage before the patient's scheduled visit to City of Hope. The patient can also contact Financial Support Services at 626-256-HOPE, Ext. 62715.

You can submit the “Becoming a Patient Request Form” on behalf of a family member or friend. However, you must do so with their knowledge and consent. City of Hope cannot contact a patient who is referred by a friend or family member, if the patient is not aware that a request has been submitted on their behalf.

The pharmacy department provides inpatient and ambulatory care services.  In addition, the department operates an outpatient pharmacy for prescription services.