RUHS Medical Center cancer program earns accreditation from the American College of Surgeons

Announcement comes at the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October

Riverside University Health System (RUHS) – Medical Center’s cancer treatment program has been accredited by the American College of Surgeons, just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The American College of Surgeons is a professional organization dedicated to ensuring high standards throughout the continuum of cancer treatment — from prevention to survivorship and end-of-life-care — while addressing both survival and quality of life. To earn accreditation from the organization’s Commission on Cancer, cancer programs must meet 34 quality care standards, submit to evaluation every three years and deliver comprehensive, high-quality, patient-centered care.

RUHS – Medical Center cancer care providers pride themselves on providing quality care and were honored by this recent accreditation. During October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, providers remind the public that access to first-rate cancer treatment, in addition to preventative screenings, is a key component to survival.

“When you are diagnosed with cancer, you begin the fight of your life,” said cancer survivor, Dr. Lisa Mahoney, a diagnostic radiology specialist at RUHS. “It means a lot to offer our patients high-quality treatment at our hospital and clinics.”

RUHS – Medical Center’s commitment to early detection and preventative care is further demonstrated as the only healthcare agency on the west coast to offer breast cancer screenings using a Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) camera. This state-of-the-art machine provides a more thorough image of a breast, making it ideal for those with dense breast tissue, as cancer can sometimes be hidden by surrounding normal breast tissue.

“MBI is our greatest new tool in breast cancer screening. It is simple, non-invasive procedure that, combined with a mammogram, can detect more breast cancer than just mammograms alone,” Mahoney said.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mahoney and other RUHS physicians encourage women to talk to their doctors about their breast cancer risk and eligibility for mammograms. According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

To schedule a preventative screening, call 951-486-4100.