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Women’s Digital Imaging: Eliminating the worry
The Ridgewood News, Friday, October 10, 2008
by Kipp Clark

With October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Lisa Weinstock and her staff at Women's Digital Imaging of Ridgewood traditionally find themselves busier than most times of the year. Knowing that most women are "terrified of their mammogram," Dr. Weinstock and her team will often put in longer hours to ensure that all of their patients are served quickly and efficiently, as opposed to having to wait another few weeks to learn of their health status.

“We are different from other centers because we do the mammography and then I immediately look at the films,” Weinstock said. “At most radiology centers, you go in for the mammogram, you walk out, and maybe you get the results right away or more likely, you get them in a few days. Letting somebody know that they don’t have cancer, and doing it as quickly as possible instead of letting them agonize for six weeks, is extremely satisfying. To know that I can help somebody stop worrying is very important to me.”

Weinstock, who completed her four-year residency in diagnostic radiology at Hackensack University Medical Center and later did her fellowship in breast imaging at Columbia University Medical Center, opened Women’s Digital Imaging in 2004, after spending four years at a private practice. Based on her years of working with patients, Weinstock said she “saw a real need” to provide a facility that offered timely appointments, smaller waiting times, face-to-face interaction with the doctor, guidance if further treatment is needed, and the ability to make key decisions without having to answer to a higher boss.

While the mammogram is viewed as the key part of the visit for the patients, it is only part of the process for Weinstock. For the patient’s individual screening profile, Weinstock and her staff will take the mammogram and then go through an intensive conversation with the patient concerning their family history. Depending on the results of the mammogram, Weinstock may perform an ultrasound test on site and will sometimes order genetic testing, which is done through a sample blood test on the patient or a family member if cancer is part of their history. If a more detailed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test is needed, Weinstock has it performed at a trusted location off-site.

In the unfortunate event that a patient shows signs of breast cancer, Weinstock is able to perform a biopsy on site, with the facility able to get a response back to the patient in 24 hours. If the biopsy comes back positive, Weinstock is not one to have the patients wait and agonize. For example, she recently had a patient come in for a biopsy on a Wednesday. After learning that it was a cancer on Friday, an appointment was made with a breast surgeon on Monday and the lumpectomy was performed on Tuesday.

“We don’t just leave it at the diagnosis; it’s not like you have cancer and goodbye,” said Weinstock. “We help the patient choose a surgeon. We often make the appointments because they are frozen. We see them through.”

While breast cancer screening is the main focus of Women’s Digital Imaging, the site is also utilized by patients seeking ultrasound testing for other types of cancer including ovarian cancer, and testing for osteoporosis. Dr. Weinstock also informs women about tests they should have elsewhere for other conditions. “A lot of women walk out of here so relieved their mammogram is normal, and the first thing I’ll say to them is, ‘have you had your colonoscopy?’ A lot of women just focus on breast cancer but there are other things out there. We try to get them to go for those other studies as well. We really try to educate women.”

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