[Article appeared in National Health Review Quarterly Vol. 4 No. 4]

Emran Imami recently opened TEPAS Breast Center, a one-stop healthcare facility that offers patients access to state-of-the-art digital mammography, genetic counseling and testing, the services of a licensed psychologist and an image consultant, as well as the spectrum of cosmetic treatments. Here is more about TEPAS.

Dr. Imami, why are one-stop facilities like TEPAS becoming so popular?

“Women’s centers are becoming increasingly common because of demand from clients who desire consolidation of services in a warm, inviting and compassionate environment. We offer convenient scheduling and rapid results, which decreases anxiety associated with the sensitive issue of a breast lump or an abnormal mammogram.

Could you give us an example?

We can schedule women almost immediately for their mammography. Should our team identify an abnormality,
we obtain additional views and an ultrasound the same day. Our board-certified radiologist interprets your studies, communicates with your physician and our center notifies you in layman’s terms of the findings.

Fewer than 10 percent of women may need a breast biopsy. At TEPAS, we offer needle biopsy. Women walk out with a bandage and usually receive results in three days or less. Fortunately, 80 percent of breast biopsies are not cancerous.

What other services do you provide?

In addition to digital mammography and breast biopsies, we can counsel women on their individual risk for developing breast cancer. Though one in eight women develop breast cancer, women with a family history of breast cancer and other factors may be at much higher risk. We can stratify your risk, offer testing for the BRCA gene, provide genetic counseling and discuss strategies to even reduce your risk.

Should you need surgery for breast cancer, we employ the latest techniques for the best cosmetic outcome. We understand the femininity associated with a wellcontoured breast; therefore, we engage board-certified plastic surgeons to participate in your treatment. Many women can undergo lumpectomy and retain their areola. Breast implants work exceedingly well to augment or replace the entire breast.

We usually only sample one lymph node (the sentinel node) instead of the dozen or so under your arm. Should you need radiation therapy, we offer the mammosite balloon which can decrease your treatment time from six weeks to one week.

“Good mental health is crucial for successful recovery from cancer, so our clinical psychologist, Dr. Rachel Lefebvre, is an important part of the treatment team.

Physicians are recognizing that treating both the mind and the body can help people cope more effectively with illness.

Part of the team is Edna Patten, our image consultant, who helps cancer patients look their best during this very trying period in their lives. Patients who are interested in a “new look” can opt for cosmetic procedures such as Botox, IPL for skin spots, a Limelight facial and laser hair removal.

Dr. Emran Imami, a general surgeon who specializes in breast cancer surgery, practices at TEPAS Healthcare along with his brother, Irfan, one of only a handful of board-certified vascular surgeons also board-certified in the management of veins. In addition to our breast care and cosmetic services, we provide comprehensive treatment for vein issues, particularly varicose veins.

That’s your brother’s specialty, correct?

Yes. My brother, Irfan, is both board certified in vascular surgery as well as phlebology, the treatment of varicose veins. He manages peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and aneurysms, and was the first surgeon in the area to perform aortic aneurysm repair under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. This procedure was traditionally considered major surgery with prolonged recovery.

Women are particularly susceptible to varicose veins. We identify the root of the problem and offer nonsurgical ablation in our office. Beyond this we can simply eliminate spider veins with slcerotherapy or laser. Many patients don’t realize that the ablation is usually covered by most insurance companies.