Essentia Health-Moose Lake offers full-spectrum breast health services

As Essentia Health expands services in the Moose Lake area, we’re proud to now offer full-spectrum breast health care.

Screenings, treatment, follow-up care and more are available at Essentia Health-Moose Lake. We also offer diagnostic imaging, surgical care like lumpectomies and mastectomies, infusions and biopsies.

The expansion of breast health services has largely been led by Dr. Samatha Leonard, a general surgeon in Moose Lake who has a passion for cancer care.

“My family has an extensive cancer history, and I’m at high risk for breast cancer myself,” said Dr. Leonard. “Rural communities really need access to a variety of services and health care professionals to advocate for them. I love being able to bring this care closer to home for patients in Moose Lake and the surrounding area.” 

Our Moose Lake location also recently introduced a High-Risk Breast Cancer Program that focuses on helping patients understand their risk of developing the disease. This service, which is an extension of Essentia’s highly regarded High-Risk Breast Cancer Program in Duluth, utilizes a team of health care professionals to form a personalized plan of care for those at greater risk of breast cancer. It also creates another access point for patients across the region who are interested in having an initial high-risk consultation.

By offering these services in Moose Lake, we are reducing transportation barriers and concerns and eliminating the need for patients to have to travel for the same level of care. By choosing Essentia in Moose Lake, patients gain access to our entire integrated health system and specialists to address their health care needs.

We also offer a free cancer support group in Moose Lake for anyone living with any type of cancer, as well as their caregivers. The group meets from 3-4:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month in the Essentia Health-Moose Lake board room located at 4572 County Road 61. Please call (218) 485-5599 for more information.

Essentia encourages prioritizing breast health

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is the optimum time to stay on top of your breast health and consider scheduling an exam.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Outside of skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women. However, when it’s caught in early stages, localized to the breast, the five-year survival rate is 99%.

Essentia Health recommends having a clinical breast exam annually. Between these appointments, medical providers recommend self-breast awareness, which is knowing how your breasts normally look and feel.

You should see a provider if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Changes in the size or shape of the breast.
• A painful or itchy nipple.
• Discharge from the nipple without squeezing.
• Swelling, redness, warmth or darkening of the breast.
• Lumps or thickening in the breast or underarm area.
• A change in skin texture.
• A changing of the nipple position or shape.
• New pain in one spot that does not go away.

Essentia recommends women of average risk get a screening mammogram every year beginning at age 40. These can be scheduled with your primary care provider. Essentia offers digital 2-D and 3-D mammograms. A 3-D mammogram takes pictures from several angles and produces a 3-D image of breast tissue that is examined layer by layer. Additionally, ultrasounds and breast MRIs can be used if further imaging is needed.

Please contact your insurance provider if you have questions regarding mammogram coverage.

Essentia’s High-Risk Breast Cancer Program is designed for women who have:

• Several close relatives on the same side of the family with breast cancer.
• A mother, sister or daughter with breast cancer at age 50 or younger.
• Two first-degree relatives (mother, sister or daughter) with breast cancer at any age.
• A close male relative with breast cancer at any age.

You can lower your risk of breast cancer by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol and tobacco products, and limiting hormone use for relief from menopause symptoms.