TEAM PROVIDES ONE-STOP SERVICES FOR BREAST CARE.

Byline: Daily News

A strong collaboration among an experienced mammographer, a first-rate pathologist, and an accomplished breast surgeon, all of whom are utilizing the most advanced technologies in breast-cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment, offers Santa Clarita Valley residents one of the most comprehensive breast-care services programs in the country.

The team is comprised of Dr. Daniel Kirsch, mammographer and medical director of the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center; Dr. Barbara Florentine, pathologist, cytopathologist and medical director of Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital's pathology department, and Dr. Gregory Senofsky, breast surgeon and director of the Breast Institute in Valencia.

``We work closely together and provide a one-stop service for patients,'' said Senofsky. ``It's a very unique situation. To have a fellowship-trained surgical oncologist who specializes in breast and soft tissue, a fellowship-trained mammographer who has a state-of-the-art digital mammography machine, a university faculty-level pathologist with expertise in breast and cytopathology, and experienced fellowship-trained medical oncologists - working together as a team.

``We have an excellent rate of getting clear margins after lumpectomies as well as a high rate of keeping patients from having mastectomies,'' Senofsky added. ``We only do mastectomies when they're absolutely necessary. We're fortunate to have an expert pathologist and a radiologist on site at the time of surgery to help determine whether all the cancer has been adequately excised.''

``The existence of the breast center facilitates the three of us being able to operate smoothly as a comprehensive breast-care team,'' Kirsch said.

Inspired by the experiences of local breast-cancer patients, survivors and their families, the center features the latest in digital mammography and ultrasound detection and allows doctors to perform services such as core biopsies, fine-needle aspirations and other procedures.

Last year, the center added a new computer-aided detection (CAD) system for mammography that provides a computerized second review of mammograms.

Rounding out the medical team are Newhall Memorial staff members Dr. Roger Der, pathologist and associate director of pathology and clinical laboratory; Dr. John Barstis, medical director of oncology and cancer committee chairman; Dr. Alexander Black and Dr. Philip Chatham, oncologists; and Dr. Robert Zimmerman, radiation oncologist and co- chairman of the cancer committee.

Since the center opened, nearly 12,000 patients have received mammograms and 70 cancers have been diagnosed.

For information or to make an appointment, call the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center at [phone].

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The breast-care specialist team at the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center is made up of mammographer Dr. Daniel Kirsch, pathologist Dr. Barbara Florentine and breast surgeon Dr. Gregory Senofsky.