Breast Cancer Diagnosis & Treatments
From the moment you get a breast cancer diagnosis, your life changes. We get that — and we're here to walk with you every step of the way.
To determine if you have breast cancer, we offer:
- 3D mammography. We're the first breast center in the area to offer 3D mammograms. This allows doctors to detect cancer earlier and see it more clearly. (About 90% of all mammograms come back normal.)
- Additional imaging. If something abnormal does turn up on your mammogram, we may recommend an ultrasound or MRI of the breast.
- Biopsy. We may also recommend a biopsy, which is a tissue sample taken from a tumor. We perform different types of biopsies depending on how best to see the tumor for sampling.
We offer the latest in breast cancer treatment. If you have breast cancer, your medical team may recommend:
- Surgery. Surgery removes cancer tissue via an operation. This could involve a lumpectomy (removing the tumor), a mastectomy (removing the breast but not lymph nodes) or a modified radical mastectomy (removing the breast and some underarm lymph nodes). Our goal is always to preserve as much of the breast as possible. We also offer breast reconstruction surgery.
- Radiation. Radiation uses high-energy rays to shrink tumors and destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy is also used to treat healthy tissue to prevent it from creating new cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. This treatment is usually given by infusion or injection, but in some cases it's taken as a pill or rubbed on your skin. We use chemotherapy to cure cancer, prolong life or reduce symptoms.
- Endocrine therapy. Endocrine therapy uses drugs to block the cancer-causing effects of estrogen in breast tissue.
We offer a wide range of services after you finish your initial treatment for breast cancer, including:
- Oncology rehabilitation. Some breast cancer survivors develop lymphedema, or swelling, after radiation or surgery. Our physical therapists can help with stretching exercises, massage and a personalized exercise program to help you feel your best and get back to your active life.
- Support groups. Going through cancer diagnosis and treatment is a unique experience. And no matter how much your friends and family are there for you, sometimes you need to talk to someone who's been through it themselves. We offer support groups for breast cancer survivors through our Survivors Offering Support (SOS) program and the Wellness House.
- Mentoring opportunities. If you're a breast cancer survivor, you may want to give back to someone else who's experiencing breast cancer. We offer the SOS mentor program. We'll train you in giving emotional support and non-medical information about breast cancer.