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 This year, experts predict 226,870 American women and 2,190 men will be newly diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. At Bay Diagnostic Center for Women, the community has access to specialists and comprehensive care in a close-to-home setting.
Randal Croshaw, M.D., the center’s resident breast oncology surgeon, says the facility is prepared to provide the same level of attention available at larger locations. The center also treats men and reports an increase in male patients in the past two years.
Team Approach Is the Strength Behind Success
“We should be able to anticipate and meet the needs of our patients. We can provide them with guidance and understanding of the treatments and challenges that await them,” he says.
“I believe our team approach provides a continuity of care rather than what commonly appears to be more fragmented,” Dr. Croshaw explains. “This concept should only be strengthened with the addition of the new cancer center being built here at the West Campus. This will unify many services and providers to better care for our patients and their families.”
Among the state-of-the-art services available are ultrasounds, bone densitometry, and digital mammograms. Abnormal masses and mammogram findings can also be evaluated with ultrasound and stereotactic biopsy.
Sophisticated Technology with Personalized Care
The equipment and software necessary to perform breast MRI at McLaren–Bay Region has also been acquired. “This will give us the ability to evaluate young women at high risk for the development of breast cancer or to assess the extent of disease in women with dense breast tissue that limits the ability of regular mammograms to detect cancer,” Dr. Croshaw explains.
For Dr. Croshaw and his team, however, it’s not just about cutting-edge technology. “We spend an extended period of time with patients and their families to help them understand their disease and the treatment options available to them,” he says.
 Nancy Morrow is a certified breast care and oncology nurse. She is also the breast health navigator at Bay Diagnostic Center for Women. Morrow helps patients through the medical maze of screening, biopsies, diagnosis, and treatments. She maintains contact with patients as they progress through all stages of cancer care and beyond.
“Breast cancer is not a death sentence, but it can feel like it,” Morrow says.
“It’s my job to clear away barriers, perceived and otherwise. I assist our patients and empower them to make informed decisions.”
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