Region's Best Breast Care 'is on your doorstep'

Two gigantic arrangements of roses, profuse thanks and this testimonial article can’t even begin to scratch the surface of Ellen Toth’s gratefulness to the Conemaugh Health System.

“I’m talking with you today because they saved my life. Period,” Toth said. “There’s nothing I can say or do to adequately convey my gratitude.”

Her annual mammogram earlier this year at another well-known health institution turned up only some calcification – nothing else. Toth wasn’t a bit concerned since her regular series of self-exams showed no reason for worry.

But Toth, a retired oncology nurse, decided to have the routine follow-up biopsy done at Conemaugh’s East Hills imaging center, which is an accredited Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

In viewing Toth’s mammogram, Conemaugh Physician Kristy Wolfel, a diagnostic radiology specialist, spotted a teeny – but suspicious – spec. She immediately performed an ultrasound biopsy and discovered a cancerous tumor – an “invasive ductal carcinoma.”

Shortly afterward, Conemaugh breast surgeon Dr. Meaghan Marley removed the malignant tumor.

After the operation, Wolfel needed to prescribe follow-up care. But since Toth was adopted, she had no family medical background to determine the chances of the cancer’s recurrence. In stepped Dr. Marley to conduct a series of genetic tests. The results indicated Toth had a high risk of the cancer returning, so Marley prescribed aggressive radiation and chemo treatments.

“If Dr. Wolfel hadn’t found the aggressive-growing tumor this year and nipped it in the bud, it would have grown exponentially,” said Toth, a 69-year-old Geistown resident, wife, mother of two and grandmother of four. “I believe it was divine intervention that she found the tumor. And she saved my life.

“Dr. Wolfel is incredible and such a humble hero. I told her that she’s not allowed to move or retire because I’ll never have anyone ever read my mammograms again but her,” she said with a chuckle.

According to Toth, who had worked for a Pittsburgh-based health system, “Conemaugh’s breast-care program can’t be beat.”

“They have an excellent team of breast surgeons and a wonderful nurse navigator (Karissa Bassett) who takes care of every single detail,” said Toth, who showered roses on Wolfel and Bassett following her operation.

“I strongly believe that what sets them apart is that rather than simply having regular physician rotations and residencies, their breast doctors went above and beyond and completed intense fellowships in their specialized area.”

The bottom line, she said, is “Conemaugh’s breast-care program is amazing. I felt I was in the absolute best hands possible. There’s nothing like it in this region, and you surely don’t have to travel to Pittsburgh and go through all the extra burdens.

“My message to women is twofold: First, nothing is more important than regular surveillance, self-exams and mammograms. Second, there’s no need to go anywhere else but Conemaugh for breast care. You have the best breast care right here on your doorstep.”