Introduction
When it comes to breast health and related treatments in Albany, the choice of a hospital is crucial. A well - ranked hospital can offer high - quality medical services, advanced treatment techniques, and experienced medical teams. In this article, we will introduce six hospitals that are included in the ranking list for breast - related treatments in Albany. These hospitals have earned their positions through various evaluations and recognitions, and they play an important role in the local medical field for breast care.
Prevalence of Breast - related Diseases and the Importance of Choosing the Right Hospital
According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime, and it is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Breast - related diseases, including breast cancer, benign breast conditions, and breast changes, are quite common. The right hospital can provide accurate diagnoses, effective treatments, and comprehensive care. For example, a high - quality hospital may have access to the latest diagnostic technologies, such as 3D digital mammography and breast ultrasound, which can improve the early detection rate of breast diseases. It also means patients can receive personalized treatment plans based on their specific conditions.
The Six Ranked Hospitals in Albany for Breast - related Treatments
Albany Medical Center
Albany Medical Center is located at 43 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, with the contact number (518) 262 - 3125. It was awarded in comprehensive breast centers. This hospital has a high - performing record in 13 procedures and conditions. It is part of the Albany Med Health System, which offers a full range of breast care services. The system provides breast care at all four of its hospitals. Patients can expect services like screening, diagnostic procedures, and treatment of breast disease, as well as routine preventive care. Albany Medical Center, along with Glens Falls Hospital and Saratoga Hospital, is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers for services in breast ultrasound, stereotactic breast biopsy, computed tomography, and MRI. In the US News Best Hospitals rankings for cancer in Albany, NY, it has a score of 36.5 / 100.
Some of the services it offers include:
- Mammography: Both screening and diagnostic mammograms are available, and often use 3D digital mammography (digital breast tomosynthesis) to improve accuracy.
- Biopsy: Various types of biopsies such as 3D digital stereotactic breast biopsy, breast biopsy with needle localization, and surgical excisional biopsy are provided.
- Treatment options: Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and different types of breast surgeries like lumpectomies, mastectomies (simple, modified, or skin - sparing), and hidden scar surgeries are offered.
- Support services: Nurse navigators are available to guide patients through the screening, diagnostic, and treatment processes.
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
Located at 417 W 3rd Ave, Albany, GA 31701, and the contact number is (229) 312 - 1000. This hospital was also awarded in comprehensive breast centers. It has a patient recommendation of 60/100. Although specific detailed services information is not as comprehensive as some other hospitals in the research, being awarded in comprehensive breast centers indicates that it offers a certain level of quality care for breast - related issues. This may include basic screening procedures like mammograms and diagnostic tests. The hospital is likely to have a team of medical professionals who are trained in dealing with common breast diseases and can provide treatment in - house or refer patients to specialized centers if needed.
St. Peter's Hospital
St. Peter's Hospital is at 315 S Manning Blvd, Albany, NY 12208, and can be reached at (518) 525 - 1550. It is a highly - regarded hospital in Albany. It was awarded in bariatrics, cancer care, comprehensive breast centers, heart care, obstetrics, patient safety, women's services, and best mammogram imaging center. It has a patient recommendation of 73/100. In the US News Best Hospitals rankings, it has multiple high - performing rankings. It is ranked #1 in Albany, NY, and is high - performing in 2 specialties and 15 procedures/conditions. In the obstetrics & gynecology ranking in Albany, NY, it has a score of 53.3 / 100, and in the cancer ranking in Albany, NY, it has a score of 36.9 / 100. In the 2024 - 2025 rankings by U.S. News & World Report, for the 11th year in a row, it was named the best in the Albany area and was also ranked the 15th best hospital in New York overall. It was ranked high - performing in many areas such as colon cancer surgery, lung cancer surgery, prostate cancer surgery, heart - related procedures, and orthopedic surgeries (hip and knee replacement).
For breast care, it offers top - notch services:
- High - quality mammogram services: As an award - winning best mammogram imaging center, it can provide accurate mammogram results, helping in early detection of breast diseases.
- Comprehensive cancer care: Since it is also recognized in cancer care, it can offer a full range of treatments for breast cancer, including advanced surgical techniques, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
- Multidisciplinary approach: The hospital likely has a team of different specialists working together to provide holistic care for patients with breast - related issues, including surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and nurses.
Samaritan Albany General Hospital
Situated at 1046 6th Ave SW, Albany, OR 97321, with the contact number (541) 812 - 4000. It was awarded in minimally invasive surgery, obstetrics, patient experience, small hospitals comprehensive care, stroke care, and best mammogram imaging center. It has a patient recommendation of 78/100. For breast care, its status as a best mammogram imaging center is of great significance. Accurate mammogram results are the first step in detecting breast diseases. This hospital may also offer follow - up diagnostic procedures if any abnormalities are detected in the mammogram. Additionally, as it is recognized in other areas like minimally invasive surgery, it might be able to offer less invasive treatment options for breast - related conditions if needed.
Samaritan Valley Imaging Services
Affiliated with Samaritan Albany General Hospital, located at 400 Hickory St NW Suite 100, Albany, OR 97321, and the contact number is 541 - 812 - 5200. It was awarded in best mammogram imaging center and has a patient recommendation of 82/100. Specializing in imaging services, it can provide high - quality mammogram services. Using advanced imaging technologies, it can increase the accuracy of detecting breast abnormalities. This is especially important as a high - quality mammogram can reduce the chances of false positives and missed cancers, minimizing the need for unnecessary follow - up tests and anxiety for patients.
Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Although not as well - covered in the breast - specific research as some other hospitals, being a Veterans Affairs medical center, it likely offers a range of medical services, including breast care for veterans. This hospital may have a focus on providing comprehensive care to veterans with different health needs. It can offer basic breast screening services such as mammograms for female veterans and breast health check - ups for male veterans. In case of a breast disease diagnosis, it can provide treatment or refer veterans to more specialized facilities for advanced care. Its services may be integrated with the overall veterans' healthcare system, ensuring continuity of care.
Comparisons between the Hospitals
We can compare these hospitals in several aspects:
Hospital Name | Patient Recommendation | Areas of Award | Rankings in Specialties |
---|---|---|---|
Albany Medical Center | 58/100 | Comprehensive breast centers | #2 in Albany, NY (high - performing in 13 procedures/conditions); Cancer score 36.5 / 100 |
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital | 60/100 | Comprehensive breast centers | Not specified in broader rankings |
St. Peter's Hospital | 73/100 | Bariatrics, cancer care, comprehensive breast centers, heart care, obstetrics, patient safety, women's services, best mammogram imaging center | #1 in Albany, NY (high - performing in 2 specialties and 15 procedures/conditions); Obstetrics & gynecology score 53.3 / 100; Cancer score 36.9 / 100; 15th best in NY overall |
Samaritan Albany General Hospital | 78/100 | Minimally invasive surgery, obstetrics, patient experience, small hospitals comprehensive care, stroke care, best mammogram imaging center | Not specified in broader local rankings |
Samaritan Valley Imaging Services | 82/100 | Best mammogram imaging center | Not specified in broader rankings |
Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center | Not available | Not specified | Not specified |
Based on the table, we can see that St. Peter's Hospital has the most comprehensive areas of awards and relatively high rankings in multiple specialties. Samaritan Valley Imaging Services has the highest patient recommendation in terms of mammogram imaging. Albany Medical Center also has a good standing in comprehensive breast care and other medical procedures.
Breast Care Services in General
Regardless of which hospital a patient chooses, common breast care services usually include:
Diagnostic Services
- Mammography: As mentioned before, it is the most common screening method for breast cancer. Screening mammograms are for healthy women, while diagnostic mammograms are for those with symptoms. Tomosynthesis is increasingly being used to improve accuracy.
- Breast ultrasound: It can be used to further evaluate abnormalities found in mammograms or to examine the breast in patients with dense breast tissue.
- Biopsy: Different types of biopsies are used to obtain tissue samples for a definite diagnosis of breast diseases. For example, stereotactic breast biopsy uses imaging guidance to target the suspicious area accurately.
Treatment Services
- Chemotherapy: It uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Different chemotherapy regimens are used depending on the type and stage of breast cancer.
- Radiation therapy: High - energy rays are used to target and destroy cancer cells, often used after surgery to prevent cancer recurrence.
- Surgery: There are various types of breast surgeries, such as lumpectomies (removing only the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue) and mastectomies (removing all or part of the breast). Reconstructive surgeries can also be performed after mastectomies.
- Immunotherapy: It works by stimulating the body's immune system to fight cancer cells.
Preventive Services
- Health education: Hospitals usually provide information on breast self - checks, healthy lifestyles, and risk factors for breast cancer. Women are encouraged to do self - checks regularly to detect any changes in their breasts early.
- Regular screening: Hospitals promote regular mammogram screenings for women, especially those at higher risk. In addition to mammograms, other risk - reducing strategies such as genetic testing for high - risk individuals may also be recommended.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the six hospitals included in the ranking list for breast - related treatments in Albany offer a wide range of services for breast health. Albany Medical Center, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, St. Peter's Hospital, Samaritan Albany General Hospital, Samaritan Valley Imaging Services, and Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center each have their own strengths. Some are well - known for comprehensive breast care, while others excel in specific areas like mammogram imaging. Choosing the right hospital depends on various factors such as the patient's specific condition, the hospital's specialties, patient recommendations, and geographical location.
If you or someone you know is concerned about breast health, we encourage you to research these hospitals further, talk to your primary care doctor for advice, and consider making an appointment at one of these ranked hospitals for a proper breast check - up or treatment. Share this information with your friends and family to spread awareness about the importance of breast health and the availability of quality hospitals in Albany.