The Breast Cancer Program provides multidisciplinary, patient-focused care to women diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer — the most common cancer in women — is the presence of a malignant tumor that forms from cells of the breast; it most frequently begins in the cells that line the ducts. A woman’s breast is made up of glands, ducts, tissues, blood vessels and lymph vessels.

The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the chances that treatment will be effective, so the goal is to find cancers before they begin to cause symptoms. The most common screening methods include mammograms, clinical breast exams and breast self-exams.

Treatments for breast cancer include surgical procedures such as lumpectomy, mastectomy and breast reconstruction, as well as biopsies, ultrasound and advanced oncoplastic procedures. Most breast cancer patients also need chemotherapy or hormonal therapy, in addition to surgery and radiation. Patients in the Breast Cancer Program also have access to state-of-the-art clinical trials of novel therapeutics and radiation therapy.

The program’s health professionals provide coordinated, simultaneous appointments, rapid diagnosis and treatment and access to the most up-to-date technology and research protocols. Additionally, surgeons affiliated with the Breast Cancer Program perform breast surgery exclusively, making them more likely to understand the complexities of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Patient support staff provide essential services such as social work, pastoral support, nutritional advice, physical therapy and rehabilitation. Most important, patients receive personal, friendly, confidential care designed to meet the needs of the whole patient, not just the disease.