Dunn Breast Care Center

Regular mammography exams are the best way to detect any breast problems early on, when treatment can be most successful. We use the advanced imaging technology to get detailed, accurate images of your breast tissue. Our expert radiologists who specialize in breast care perform the imaging scans and analyze the results.

Imaging services we provide include:

Mammography

This uses low-dose radiation to obtain high-resolution images of your breasts. We provide two types:

• Digital mammography, analyzed by a computer-aided detection (CAD) system. We use this for both screening and diagnostic purposes. Find out more about digital mammography.

• 3-D mammography (tomosynthesis), which provides the sharpest images for screening and diagnostics.

Ultrasounds

An ultrasound procedure uses a microphone-like instrument to scan over the skin and send sound waves into the body that bounce off of tissue and reflect back to the transducer, where they are recorded and displayed as real-time images.

Breast biopsies

We remove a small sample of breast tissue for analysis, using the latest technology to ensure the most accurate and least invasive procedure.

• Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy
• Stereotactic breast biopsy

Molecular breast imaging (MBI)

This can identify tumors that are not visible in a traditional mammogram. We inject short-lived radioactive particles that accumulate in tumor cells more than normal cells, allowing us to detect abnormalities.

Breast MRI

This helps us to determine the extent of disease, monitor response to therapy in breast cancer patients and further evaluate any breast abnormalities. Read more about breast MRI.

Needle localization prior to surgery

Our team uses needle localization to accurately identify the location of the breast abnormality before beginning surgery.

Dunn Breast Care Center offers comprehensive, coordinated care for the full spectrum of breast care. Our caring staff focuses on meeting your individual needs. Services we provide include:

Education and consultation services

• Instruction on breast self-exam
• Education about your breast health
• Breast cancer education and consultation
• A reference library offering educational materials for loan and Internet access for browsing online resources
• Genetic education and testing services

Therapy programs and support services

Support groups for women with breast cancer, free of charge. You do not have to be a Scripps patient to participate.

• The lymphedema management program offers an individualized treatment program that incorporates physical and occupational therapy.
• The Breast Buddy peer support program matches a breast cancer survivor with a patient to provide support through diagnosis, treatment and recovery of breast cancer.

Wellness programs

• Healthy lifestyle programs
• Nutritional counseling

Breast cancer treatment service

Breast surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are available at Scripps La Jolla and throughout the Scripps system.

At the Dunn Breast Care Center, you will meet with experienced health care professionals, registered nurses and physicians who are part of your breast care team.

We listen to your concerns and work with you to make informed decisions. We encourage you and your family to ask questions and take an active role in your care.

Our ongoing commitment to provide you with the most advanced breast health resources includes:

• Participation in clinical research studies for breast cancer prevention and treatment.
• Our team collaborates with resources in the community to further increase breast care awareness, education, treatment and support.
• You and your family will have access to the latest information on every aspect of breast care, from prevention and detection to treatment and therapy. Our reference library is filled with up-to-date educational material for your convenience.

Our support groups are facilitated by licensed professionals and are open to everyone. Support groups are free and you do not have to be a Scripps patient to join us. If you would like additional information, please call 858-626-5207.

If breast and ovarian cancer are in your family history, you may have a genetic mutation that increases your risk for these forms of cancer. The Dunn Breast Care Center offers educational resources on identifying and managing hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer, and assistance in the testing process.

If have experienced any of the following in your health history, you may be interested in learning more about what you can do to lower your risk:

• Diagnosis of breast cancer before age 50
• Multiple cancer diagnoses
• One or more family members with ovarian cancer (any age)
• Two or more family members with breast cancer, diagnosed before age 50
• Male relative diagnosed with breast cancer
• One or more family members with breast cancer diagnosed before age 50 and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
• Known BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation in the family

Genetic testing

A blood test can determine whether you have a BRCA1 or BRAC2 gene mutation, which are responsible for approximately 5% of all breast and ovarian cancers diagnosed. Women with BRCA mutations have:

• Approximately an 87% chance of developing breast cancer, and approximately a 44% chance of developing ovarian cancer by age 70
• A higher risk of developing secondary cancers

Genetic information can help you and your health care providers manage your health care needs more effectively. Many insurance plans cover a large portion of the cost of this test. It is important to know that the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 prohibits health insurance discrimination based on genetic information.

Next steps

Women who carry a mutation in the BRCA gene are encouraged to talk to their physicians or medical providers about ways to reduce their risk.

Recommendations may include:

• Increased surveillance — Monthly breast self-exams and annual clinical breast exams, mammograms, transvaginal ultrasound and CA 125 blood tests.
• Preventive drug therapy — For women who carry the BRCA mutation, Tamoxifen has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer and oral contraceptives have been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
• Preventive surgery — Prophylactic mastectomy can significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer, and prophylactic oophorectomy (removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes) reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and may reduce the risk of breast cancer in women who carry BRCA mutations.

Knowing your risk and doing everything you can to lower it could make a big difference for you, your family and future medical management choices.

Scripps La Jolla’s main entrance is on Genesee Avenue, between I-5 and Campus Point Drive. Once you enter our driveway, follow the signs to your destination. Download and print our campus map. (PDF, 1.1 MB)

We offer paid parking in several locations throughout the campus: 

• Underground Parking Structure A, located beneath the main hospital (9888 building)
• Parking Structures B, located next to XiMED Medical Center (9850 building) 
• Parking Structure D, connected by bridge to Anderson Medical Pavilion (9898 building)
• Limited, open-air parking for emergency room patients and visitors in front of the Barbey Family Emergency and Trauma Center

Scripps charges for parking after 30 minutes. We also offer valet parking for a flat fee. Our rates are as follows: 

• First 30 minutes: Free
• 31 minutes to 4 hours: $6
• 4 hours to all day: $12
• Maximum per day: $12
• Valet parking: $8

Parking for disabled visitors and clergy is free. Visitors with disabilities can receive validation from a valet attendant, or at the information desk after valet hours. Clergy can receive validation from the administrative office.

A discounted parking voucher is available to patients who require treatment three or more times in a single week.

Parking fees must be paid using our self-pay kiosks. They accept all payment types (cash, debit and credit cards) and are conveniently located throughout the campus:

• In front of the main hospital entrance (9888 building), near the fountain
• In the elevator lobby within Parking Structure B
• Inside Parking Structure D

If you prefer to pay with cash, an ATM is located on the lower level of Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla (near the elevators).