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Comprehensive Breast Care Center providing wraparound care for breast cancer patients

WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital has been providing quality breast care to the community for 20 years. In that time, breast health recommendations and technology have majorly evolved.

Kyla Morris is the Comprehensive Breast Care Center program coordinator and accepted that position about two years ago. She is a registered nurse and a certified breast health clinical navigator.

“Breast surgery and breast biopsies have changed significantly over the past 20 years, and so has the Comprehensive Breast Care Center,” Morris said.

Just this year, for example, two of the surgeons are using a needleless localization device for better patient satisfaction at Wheeling Hospital.

Morris emphasized that she works for the Comprehensive Breast Care Center, which is not the Mammography Center. The two work in tandem but have separate functions. The Mammography Center is responsible for breast imaging that is ordered by a health care provider. The radiologists in the mammography center also perform image-guided biopsies. The Comprehensive Breast Care Center manages the breast health of patients and is led by surgeons and a nurse practitioner.

The Breast Center is both a Wheeling Hospital department and a clinic. Patients are referred to the Breast Center for several reasons, such as family history of breast cancer, abnormal mammograms, lumps, pain, infections and any other abnormalities.

“The Breast Center is my home! It is where I belong,” Morris said of the role.

It’s her home because breast health hits close to home for Morris.

“In July 2014, I felt an odd lump in my breast while getting ready for an early shift at the hospital. I was 34, but I knew that age did not matter. I called my doctor and got in right away,” she said. “My lump was a grape-sized tumor that had spread to some of my lymph nodes. My journey through breast cancer was probably ordinary, but for me, it was extraordinarily life-changing and career-affirming.”

Morris added that she had an incredible team to care for her, but she was especially fond of her “amazing” nurse navigator, who inspired her to get into her current line of work.

“She guided me through and made me be a patient. I knew that I wanted to help give other patients what she gave me and my family,” Morris said. “This summer, I celebrated 10 years as a breast cancer survivor.”

The Breast Center team is comprised of three surgeons, Dr. David Ghaphery, Dr. Rosemarie Hardin and Dr. Gretchen Weber. These surgeons perform breast surgery at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital. Jamie Seszko is the nurse practitioner and performs some procedures in the center, sees patients for benign breast conditions and prepares patients for biopsies. She also sees many high-risk patients. It is important to note that not all patients that are referred to the Comprehensive Breast Care Center require surgery.

Currently, the breast center is getting a facelift with paint and new furniture.

“What started out as a small spot in the hospital that assisted patients with breast health awareness and registration desk for the Mammography Center was transformed when Dr. David Ghaphery went to Wheeling Hospital administration on behalf of the women of the Ohio Valley,” Morris explained.

Dr. Ghaphery’s vision was for women with an abnormal mammogram to be able to quickly consult with a surgeon and have a biopsy of their breast that same day. At that time, qomen were waiting weeks between mammograms, consultations and appointments before a biopsy could be performed. Then, add another week to get results.

“From there, the Comprehensive Breast Center took shape. A small staff, consisting of a nurse and receptionist, worked with the mammography center staff to schedule the patients for procedures and follow-ups. At that time, a breast biopsy was only performed by surgeons in the operating room. The Breast Center became popular for the expedited timeline that Dr. Ghaphery had set,” Morris said.

Patients diagnosed with breast cancer are one of the primary focuses of the team. These patients meet with one of the surgeons and their dedicated nurse navigator to plan their treatment.

“The surgeon performs a clinical breast exam and explains the diagnosis to the patient and their family in plain terms. Our surgeons take time to answer any questions. Surgical options are given to the patient, and the pros and cons of each surgery are discussed,” Morris said.

If surgery is required, the nurse navigator helps prepare the patient with what to expect and any post-operative instructions.

“The navigator helps to coordinate the appointments with radiation and medical oncology departments for that patient. She is also responsible for checking in with the patient after surgery and with the patient at her post-op appointment. We pride ourselves on the continuity of care we provide our patients. We are a team,” Morris said.

Morris emphasized that women should begin getting yearly mammograms at age 40.

“Mammograms may not be fun, but they catch breast cancer at stage 0. Breast cancer is not selective. It does not care about whether it runs in your family. Being a woman puts you at risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, and we cannot change that,” Morris added.

Any patient with concerns about their breast health should contact their physician. All three of our breast surgeons are accepting new referrals.

The annual Surviving and Thriving event celebrates Breast Cancer survivors each October. The event started last year with 80 guests and grew this year to surpass 100. There are guest speakers, vendors and other celebratory measures to honor breast cancer patients and survivors. Morris said it is not medically focused but instead highlights wellness. Since the event has grown, Morris said the team will be hunting for a larger location for 2025, a problem she welcomes.

But, of course, breast health is important year-round, not just in October.

“The Breast Center and Mammography Center celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness all year. Together, we are a team. We are the women and men behind that pink ribbon each and every day,” Morris added.

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