Breast Health Frequently Asked Questions | Saint John’s Cancer Institute

How do I get to Saint John’s Health Center?

I have a compliment/complaint – who do I call or contact?

I’d like to talk about something personal – is there a social worker or a chaplain available?

Is there anyone available to help me pick out a wig?

Someone I know mentioned “complementary medicine.” What is that?

I’ve heard about “Clinical Trials.” What are they, and how do they involve me?

What is a “Cancer Registry?”

Is the Providence Saint John’s Margie Petersen Breast Center accredited?

Someone told me cancer could be inherited. How do I find out more about this?

Will treatment affect my ability to have children?

Will my Living Will be honored?

I need a copy of my records – who should I call, and how much does it cost?

Will my medical and personal information be kept confidential?

My care providers keep bringing up “Informed Consent.” What does this mean?

Do you have information about support groups for people with my type of cancer?

Is there someone to talk to about what kinds of food I should eat, or a special diet plan?

Where can I get something to eat?

How do I find out about volunteering at Providence Saint John’s Health Center?

How can I make a contribution to breast cancer care programs or breast cancer research at Providence Saint John’s Health Center or John Wayne?

What kind of parking is available at Providence Saint John’s Health Center?

How do I get to Saint John’s Health Center?

Providence Saint John’s Health Center
2121 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Main Hospital: 310-829-5511

The main entrance to Providence Saint John’s Health Center is located on Santa Monica Boulevard, between 20th and 23rd Streets. All parking is by valet only; no self-park lots are available within the campus.

The new entrance to the valet parking drop-off is located at the top of our one-way circle driveway. Enter using the east end of the driveway (near the U.S. Bank).

Providence Saint John’s front entrance on Santa Monica Boulevard is open from 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Before or after these hours, please use the valet drop-off at our Emergency Department entrance. The Emergency Department is located on Arizona Avenue between 20th and 23rd Streets.

A friendly valet will greet you and direct you to the building’s public entrance into the Howard Keck Center. Please check-in with the Information Desk before proceeding to your visiting destination.

Tower Saint John’s Imaging
2202 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Telephone: 310-264-9000

Tower Saint John’s Imaging is located at the corner of 22^nd street and Wilshire Blvd. Free valet parking off of 22^nd street. Metered street parking is also available.

I have a compliment/complaint – who do I call or contact?

Is there anyone available to help me pick out a wig?

Someone I know mentioned “complementary medicine.” What is that?

Complementary medicine and therapy includes massage, acupuncture, biofeedback, aromatherapy, meditation, healing hands, nutrition supplements and other services. Some cancer patients feel they can benefit from these therapies in addition to their medical treatment.

Please talk to your provider before trying complementary therapy treatments since there some may interfere with your treatment or cause side effects. Your provider will also be able to advise you about current evidence of how these therapies have helped others. We can also help with referral to a naturopathic provider with experience taking care of people with cancer.

I’ve heard about “Clinical Trials.” What are they, and how do they involve me?

What is a “Cancer Registry?”

Is the Providence Saint John’s Margie Petersen Breast Center accredited?

Providence Saint John’s Health Center is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) Commission on Cancer. Additionally, the Breast Imaging Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence for mammography, breast ultrasound, stereotactic breast biopsy, and breast MRI. This designation is the highest standard of breast imaging accreditation.

Someone told me cancer could be inherited. How do I find out more about this?

Up to 10 percent of all breast cancers are probably related to inherited factors. The Providence Center for Clinical Genetics and Genomics is available to provide genetics consultation for you and your family if you think cancer may be inherited in your family. You and your family members may benefit from these services. Ask your nurse or provider about this service, or call 818-748-4748, option 3, for more information and to schedule an appointment. Services are available at the Margie Peterson Breast Center and at other Providence sites.

Will treatment affect my ability to have children?

Chemotherapy treatments may cause temporary or permanent infertility. These side effects are related to a number of factors including your age at time of treatment, the specific type and dose of chemotherapy, and length of time since treatment.

If you are concerned about the effects of cancer treatment on your ability to have children, discuss this with your provider before treatment. S/he can recommend a counselor or fertility specialist who will discuss available options and help you through the decision-making process.

Will my Living Will be honored?

We support your right to determine your care, and State law guarantees your right to make your wishes known ahead of time. An Advance Directive enables patients to write down their wishes for treatment in advance, so that their family members, doctors, nurses and hospital staff can abide by their wishes. We are required to ask about advance directives upon each hospital admission. The Advance Directive is not required for you to complete. However, it is to your advantage to have this on file. If you already have your Advance Directive or Living Will, please provide the staff with a copy so we can make sure a copy is available in your medical record. If you do not have one and would like more information, the Institute for Human Caring web site offers information and an Advance Directive form to complete. Learn more here: https://www.providence.org/institute-for-human-caring

We can also provide you with an Advance Directive Toolkit with the form and more information.

I need a copy of my records – who should I call, and how much does it cost?

As a patient, you have the right to access your personal healthcare information. There is a Release of Information form that you’ll need to complete to have copies of your records made. Non-emergency information will be processed in about two weeks from the request date.

Providence Saint John’s Health Center will continue to provide copies to referring providers and other hospitals for continuing patient care as needed. Please call the Health Information Management Department (Medical Records) at 310-829-8337, option 1, for more information about obtaining copies of your patient information. Their hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Will my medical and personal information be kept confidential?

Do you have information about support groups for people with my type of cancer?

Is there someone to talk to about what kinds of food I should eat, or a special diet plan?

Nutrition Services are offered at the Margie Petersen Breast Center at Providence Saint John’s Health Center. Individualized nutrition education, support and monitoring aligned with your cancer therapy and personal needs are provided as a service to promote wellness for our breast cancer and high risk patients. You and the nutritionist will jointly set nutrition goals tailored to your individual healthcare needs and preferences. Together you will build on what you already do well, and work toward nutritional approaches that support your long-term wellness. To schedule an appointment contact the nurse navigator or Margie Petersen Breast Center Staff.

Where can I get something to eat?

How do I find out about volunteering at Providence Saint John’s Health Center?

At Providence Saint John’s Health Center, volunteers make a real difference because they become an integral part of the Saint John’s family through a carefully designed service program that allows them to perform many hours of assistance in carefully selected areas. We are truly blessed to have an amazing group of volunteers who support our Mission by helping to create an exceptional place for health and healing.

Providence Saint John’s Health Center has more than 340 volunteers ranging in age from 16 to 97 years old. Our volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and bring with them varying experience and skills. New volunteers begin their journey with us every month, joining those who have served our community for many years. One of our volunteers has been with us for over 43 years!

Providence Saint John’s volunteers can be seen throughout the health center supporting our patients and staff in many ways. They are assigned to at least 35 different areas where they perform an array of duties. Depending on individual interests, some of our volunteers work directly with patients and others provide invaluable assistance in hospital support areas. We are always looking to add dedicated and compassionate members to our volunteer family.

For more information on how to become part of this rewarding experience, please call the Volunteer Service Office at 310-829-8438.

How can I make a contribution to breast cancer care programs or breast cancer research at Providence Saint John’s Health Center or John Wayne?

You may make a donation to the Breast Program at the Margie Petersen Breast Center or to Breast Research fund at Saint John’s Cancer Institute. Donations may also be made in honor or memory of a loved one or to celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary.

By Phone: Please contact Pam Solomon at the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation directly at 310-829-8424 if you would like to make a donation or learn more about ways to support Providence Saint John’s Health Center.

To donate through our secure online server: https://www.saintjohnscancer.org/make-a-donation/contact-us-donation-form/

To donate by fax or mail: You can also send in a donation using our printable gift form. Simply download the form, complete it, and mail or fax it to the address indicated. You may enclose a check or pay by credit card.

Gift Form: https://www.saintjohnscancer.org/make-a-donation/

Print and mail to:
Saint John’s Health Center Foundation
2121 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404

What kind of parking is available at Providence Saint John’s Health Center?

Parking Rates

$16.00 Flat Rate (after 90 minutes). All rates include a 10% city parking tax.

Time	Charge
First 15 minutes	No Charge
16 – 30 minutes	$5.00
31 – 45 minutes	$7.00
46 – 60 minutes	$9.00
61 – 75 minutes	$11.00
76 – 90 minutes	$13.00
90 + minutes	$16.00 Max.

Note: Providence Saint John’s does not validate in the parking structure or the health center. For the latest information and for questions related to directions please call the Providence Saint John’s parking office at 310-829-8012.

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