Breast MRI

A type of magnetic resonance imaging, breast MRI is used to detect and evaluate breast cancer. Breast MRI may be prescribed to help visualize dense breast tissue in high-risk patients, to help determine a breast cancer treatment plan and to check the breast after surgery or radiation.

Core Biopsy

A core biopsy is a nonsurgical test to determine whether an abnormal area in the breast is cancer. There are two types of core biopsy: One uses X-rays, called a stereotactic core biopsy; the other, an ultrasound core biopsy, uses sounds waves. During a core biopsy, specially trained technicians use X-rays or ultrasound to locate the abnormal area of the breast. The radiologist then guides a special needle into the lesion and removes slivers of tissue for analysis. Both methods are relatively painless, take 1 - 2 hours and leave little or no scarring.

Breast PET/PEM

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor may order a PEM scan. PEM stands for positron emission mammography, an advanced application of positron emission tomography, or PET scanning. PEM is used for imaging a small body part, such as the breasts. The PEM scanner produces a very sharp, detailed image. With PEM, doctors can see cancers as small as a grain of rice. The PEM images show the location of suspicious masses, giving physicians a map upon which they can base your treatment options and/or surgical plan. Your doctor may also use PEM to monitor treatment or check for a recurrence.

From the moment you become a Baptist Health Breast Center patient, we’re committed to giving you individualized attention. CareCoaches are available to guide you and your family during testing and, if necessary, after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Your CareCoach will be ready to help:

• Schedule your appointments.
• Connect you with support services, such as physical therapy, genetic testing, nutritional advice, counseling and support groups.
• Provide the compassionate support that you and your family need.

Linda Burrowes

Linda Burrowes, part of the CareCoach team at Baptist Health Breast Center, knows what it’s like to face a possible diagnosis of breast cancer. She’s ready to listen, to answer questions, to offer a hug or a helping hand. She’s specially trained to help patients schedule tests, make doctor appointments and get results. She also connects her patients and their families with other support services they might need during this time of uncertainty—and beyond.

Linda stays in touch with her patients, sometimes even after they’re done with their visits to the Breast Center. "I come to work with a smile on my face thinking I can help somebody today," Linda says. "I’m glad to be there when the news is good and I share in that happy moment. I’m also glad to be there when they need a comforting voice to tell them that there is life after a diagnosis of breast cancer."

Loretta Erickson

CareCoach Loretta Erickson knows a lot about breast health—professionally and personally. She worked as a mammography and biopsy technician for years before she was diagnosed with breast cancer herself. Now she uses her experience to support and guide women with suspected or confirmed breast cancer at the Baptist Health Breast Center. "I’m here to help other women through their ordeal, to help them schedule tests and get results as quickly as possible because this is a stressful time for them."

Loretta also sits with family members, because they have questions and fears, too. She knows that most women who undergo biopsies do not have cancer. "So I don’t say the word, survivor, unless they need to hear it. If a patient is really scared, I say, 'You know what, I’m a survivor and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.' And that bonds you a little more."

Zasha Pou

CareCoach Zasha Pou sees her role as promoting breast health and supporting women who need further testing after an irregular mammogram. Most of her patients will get good news—that they don’t have breast cancer—but it’s a stressful experience nonetheless. "I help get my patients the necessary resources with minimal effort on their part," Zasha says. "I am their navigator, mentoring them, informing them, being a buddy."

Zasha has experience working with diverse groups of people, including many who don’t have a lot of family support. She finds it rewarding to answer patients’ questions and offer them comfort and a little undivided attention. In turn, her patients relax a bit. "They like it because someone is taking care of them for a change."

Robert DerHagopian, M.D.

Board-certified breast cancer surgeon Robert DerHagopian, M.D., is the medical director of Baptist Health Breast Center. He served as assistant clinical professor of surgery in the Department of Surgical Oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine from 1982 to 2002. After earning his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine, Dr. DerHagopian completed his surgical residency at Boston City Hospital and Tufts-New England Medical Center. He served in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps before completing a clinical fellowship in surgical oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. As a longtime breast cancer researcher, he is widely published in medical journals and has received numerous honors for his professional contributions.

Dr. DerHagopian has presented his findings at national conferences and seminars. He also has collaborated with nationally renowned oncologists and surgeons in cancer treatment research, including serving as medical director and principal investigator of Total Cancer Care®, a collaborative research effort with the Tampa-based H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.

Gladys Giron, M.D.

Board-certified breast cancer surgeon Gladys Giron, M.D., is the associate medical director of Baptist Health Breast Center. Previously, she was the medical director of the Taylor Breast Health Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. She earned her medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine and did her surgical residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Giron completed a clinical and research fellowship in breast cancer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and a breast surgery fellowship at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt and Beth Israel Medical Centers, also in New York City.

Dr. Giron has published several research articles in medical journals.

Maria Pilar Martinez, M.D.

Board-certified radiologist Maria Pilar Martinez, M.D., is the medical director of breast imaging and intervention at Baptist Health Breast Center. Dr. Martinez has extensive background and experience in all areas of breast imaging and intervention. She was instrumental in the development of the breast MRI and MRI-guided biopsy programs at Baptist Health, and also was an integral part of the successful launch of Baptist Health’s digital mammography program, which, at the time, was the largest implementation in the country. More recently, with the opening of Baptist Health Breast Center, Dr. Martinez’s focus is on breast PET, an innovative technology used in evaluating breast cancer patients.

Dr. Martinez earned her medical degree from Universidad Central del Caribe in Puerto Rico before completing an internship in internal medicine at Cabrini Medical Center in New York City, as well as her residency in diagnostic radiology at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons-Harlem Hospital. She also completed a fellowship in breast imaging and intervention at Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami Beach.

Joanna N. Tewfik, D.O.

Board-certified radiologist Joanna Tewfik, D.O., serves as an attending radiologist at Baptist Health Breast Center, Baptist Hospital of Miami and South Miami Hospital. She is a dedicated women's imaging specialist performing mammography and breast ultrasound tests, biopsies and MRIs, and previously served as a clinical instructor at the University of Virginia. Her research projects have focused on detecting cancer using MRI, PET and other advanced imaging modalities.

Dr. Tewfik earned her medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She completed internships at Westchester General Hospital in Miami and at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia before serving a fellowship in breast imaging at the University of Virginia.