The Patient Center

It is not uncommon for a patient coming to our office for a diagnostic mammogram to have a potentially serious problem identified at the time of this exam. Because we can assess the patient and provide physician performed additional testing, most patients leave the office with more specific answers, including in many cases, receipt of immediate biopsy results. Most patients do not have to wait for results of diagnostic mammographic, ultrasound, or fine needle biopsy results, and get this information at the end of their visit. If further treatment is needed, appointments with surgeons, oncologists and the genetics counselor are arranged at the same time; breast MRI appointments can also be facilitated.

Many patients consider Dr. Staiger “their breast doctor”, a rare honor for a radiologist. It is a privilege to hear one of our patients say “you saved my life…my surgeon told me they couldn’t even see the cancer on the mammogram!” Dr. Staiger and the physicians at Garden State Women’s Imaging, are also committed to helping women who require our services; we do not consider a woman’s ability to pay large bills “up front” as her most important characteristic.

Many patients who have had alarming, painful, or frightening experiences have praised the care and concern with which our services are rendered. “No one ever took the time to explain things to me” is a frequent comment.

For those cases in which we must deliver unwelcome news, we do this in a quiet and supportive environment after speaking with the patient’s referring physician.