Breast Diagnostic Assessment Unit
What is a Breast Diagnostic Assessment Unit (BDAU)?
A BDAU includes breast screening and breast assessment with a focus on
providing timely and complete breast care for women in our region. Patients
must be referred by their family physician because of an abnormal routine
mammogram result or a breast concern. Breast assessment is a coordinated
approach to assessing and diagnosing women and providing them the necessary
support while they are going through this process.
The digital mammography technology available onsite will improve diagnoses
and help save more lives in the struggle against breast cancer.
Who is on the Support Care Team?
The regional BDAU involves the family physician, with on site input
between a surgeon, radiologist, technologist and patient navigator.
Practical and emotional needs of the women and their families are handled by
the various members of the team.
The team will assess and diagnose breast cancer in an environment that
supports women and their families in the early phase of their cancer
journey, decrease wait times and eliminate many visits to practitioners or
health care facilities. Included in the BDAU are multiple digital
mammography units, and a dedicated breast ultrasound unit. This equipment
will aid all image-guided breast biopsies.
Where is the Breast Diagnostic Assessment Unit Located in our
Region?
Our new regional service is re-located in the new Waterloo Wellington
Breast Centre - a state-of-the-art centre and the first of its kind in the
province – which is located at the Freeport Health Centre in the south end
of Kitchener.
How can I access the BDAU?
Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) patients can self-refer to this
site for their routine screening mammogram. Any woman over the age of 50 can
self-refer at no charge. Patients who do not qualify for the OBSP program
must be referred for regular breast screening by their family physician.
Physicians must refer their patients for breast assessment services; please
contact your physician if you have any breast concerns.