Improving Access to Breast Cancer Care in the East Bay

Research has shown that better cancer survival outcomes derive from improvements in prevention, screening, treatment and follow-up care. Also critical is improving access to care, says the American Cancer Society. This includes primary and specialty care, along with improved coordination and communication between providers.

Earlier this year, UCSF Health and John Muir Health announced the opening of the UCSF-John Muir Health Cancer Center, located in the jointly operated Berkeley Outpatient Center. The goal of adding cancer services to the wide range of specialties offered at the Berkeley Outpatient Center is to offer advanced care for patients in a single, close-to-home location. Having primary care physicians and specialists in the same location allows for enhanced care coordination, collaboration and knowledge sharing.

For patients with breast cancer or benign breast conditions, dedicated breast radiologists and breast surgeons will be available for evaluation and discussion of treatment options, including the latest minimally invasive techniques. Breast imaging efforts at the Berkeley Outpatient Center are led by Kimberly Ray, MD, associate professor specializing in Breast Imaging in the UC San Francisco Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging. Dr. Ray rejoined the department’s faculty earlier this year and previously served as Medical Director of the Avon Breast Imaging Center at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Dr. Ray was instrumental in bringing Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT, “3D mammography”) first to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and then to UCSF.

Breast imaging services available at the Berkeley Outpatient Center starting in mid-October 2020 include mammography (2D and “3D”), breast ultrasound and image guided breast biopsy, with plans to add breast MRI in the future.

In addition to cancer care and imaging services, the Berkeley Outpatient Center provides 19 (and counting) specialty care services. They also provide urgent care for non-life-threatening medical conditions.

Learn more about the Berkeley Outpatient Center and Cancer Care at the Berkeley Outpatient Center.