Womancare at Saint Francis Medical Center addresses lifelong women's healthcare issues through a comprehensive program. Under the guidance of physicians, specially trained registered nurses and radiology technologists provide education, examinations, tests and treatments to meet the unique healthcare needs of females. Womancare offers access to the following:
Birthing
Newborn delivery and care are accessible through Saint Francis' Family BirthPlace.
Breast health
Saint Francis' Womancare offers a comprehensive breast health program that includes advanced digital mammography (the first in the region to offer this technology) with on-site radiologist, breast ultrasound, clinical breast exams, breast self-exam instruction, educational materials and access to cancer physician specialists if needed.
A breast cancer support group is also available to women and their significant others, as well as access to the "Reach to Recovery" program from the American Cancer Society that connects past breast surgery patients to current breast surgery patients.
Breast Cancer Support Group - The Power of Pink
Saint Francis’s new Power of Pink Breast Cancer Support Group is a comprehensive group created for women recently diagnosed with breast cancer to help them answer questions and discuss the challenges of their journey. It is sponsored by the Cancer Care Fund at Saint Francis and led by nurse practitioner Pam Lewis, a nurse navigator at the Cancer Institute. The group’s mission is to empower a woman’s mind, body and spirit with education and support.
The six weekly sessions will take place Tuesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. in the Health and Wellness building on the Saint Francis campus. The first 2012 session begins January 10; the second session of the year starts June 5. At its conclusion, participants who attend a minimum of five meetings will receive a free short-term membership to Fitness Plus, Saint Francis’ award-winning fitness facility.
To register for The Power of Pink Support Group call Womancare at 573-331-5209, ext. 2.
Educational resources
Saint Francis' Womancare has a comprehensive library of materials that includes books, videotapes and pamphlets to help women learn more about specific breast health issues. Internet access is also provided.
Health and fitness
Saint Francis' Womancare refers patients to the The Healthy Weigh program for weight loss, exercise and nutrition counseling.
Menopause
Saint Francis' Womancare provides counseling on hormone replacement therapy and estrogen therapy related to menopause, a transition that can start in your 30s or 40s and last into your 50s and even 60s.
Osteoporosis
Saint Francis' Womancare offers bone density testing with an on-site rheumatologist to determine risk for osteoporosis, a condition causing bones to become weak and brittle. The simple, painless test is useful in the prevention, detection and treatment of osteoporosis (a condition which can be treated with medication). Educational materials are also available.