BREAST CANCER PROGRAM
704-355-2884 or 1-800-804-9376
Breast cancer, the most common cancer in women living in the United States, is predicted by the American Cancer Society to occur in 211,240 women this year. Although not as often, breast cancer can occur in men as well.
According to Richard White, MD, co-director of the Breast Cancer Program at Blumenthal Cancer Center, "85 percent of breast cancer patients are living five years after diagnosis. Somewhere between 60 and 70 percent of these patients are cured, and in those women where the tumor is less than 1 centimeter in size, the cure rate is upwards of 90 percent."
A commitment to innovative therapies and streamlined service is evident within the Breast Cancer Program. By using the expertise of each breast team specialist, the weekly, multidisciplinary breast team conference discusses treatment options for the best management and plan of care for each patient. Blumenthal Cancer Center professionals are available to guide the patient through every step of diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
After a treatment course has been recommended, the physician and nurse coordinator meet with patients and their families to help them fully understand the treatment, potential side effects and support services that are available.
WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that has developed from cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant areas of the body. The disease occurs mostly in women, but men can get it, too.
The female breast is made up mainly of milk-producing glands called lobules, ducts, which are milk passages that connect the lobules to the nipple and fatty tissue and connective tissue surrounding the ducts and lobules, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, called stroma. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts, some in the lobules, and the rest in other tissues.
Lymphatic vessels are like veins, except that they carry lymph instead of blood. Lymph is a clear fluid that contains tissue fluid and waste products and immune system cells. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped collections of immune system cells that are found along lymphatic vessels. Cancer cells can enter lymphatic vessels and spread to lymph nodes.
Almost all lymphatic vessels in the breast connect to lymph nodes under the arm. Some lymphatic vessels connect to lymph nodes inside the chest and either above or below the collar bone.
When breast cancer cells reach the axillary or underarm lymph nodes, they may continue to grow, often causing the lymph nodes in that area to swell. If breast cancer cells have spread to the underarm lymph nodes, they are more likely to have spread to other organs of the body as well. This is why it is important to find out if breast cancer has spread to your axillary lymph nodes when you are choosing a treatment.
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OUR BREAST CANCER RISK ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Program, a part of the Breast Health Center, is a joint effort with the Clinical Genetics Center of Carolinas Medical Center. Because breast cancer is so common, many families may have two or more affected individuals. Certain families share a gene for cancer susceptibility. Major advances in the localization of such genes make estimates of risk a complicated process. It is important to identify those families with inherited cancer, so that family members can receive information about early detection and prevention.
For more information, please contact Blumenthal Cancer Center at 704-355-2884.
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BREAST CANCER EVALUATION AND TREATMENT
The treatment of breast cancer is contingent upon a number of factors, including:
- Type of breast cancer
- Location of the cancer
- Stage of the disease
The one of the first steps in evaluating breast cancer is a biopsy. If a woman or her physician finds a suspicious lump or if a mammogram identifies an abnormal area, then a biopsy may be performed to get a tissue sample. This sample will be examined by a pathologist to determine whether or not the abnormality is cancer.
There are two types of biopsies, fine needle and core needle biopsies. If the physician can not easily feel the lump, he or she can use ultrasound or a computerized stereotactic needle biopsy to find the exact location of the lump. Other tests used to evaluate breast cancer are: chest x-ray, bone scan, CT scan, PET scan and MRI scan.
There are two separate issues that must be addressed during the treatment of breast cancer. Local treatment, for the breast itself, can include surgery and/or radiation therapy. Systemic treatment, for the spread of breast cancer, can include
chemotherapy
and/ or hormonal therapy.
Breast cancer patients at Blumenthal Cancer Center have access to the most current and innovative research studies available in the United States. High-risk individuals who do not have breast cancer also may participate in national breast cancer prevention studies.
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MEET OUR BREAST HEALTH CENTER TEAM
Steven Limentani, MD, and Richard White, MD, serve as Co-Directors of the Breast Health Center Program. The Breast Health Team at Blumenthal Cancer Center meets weekly during the multidisciplinary breast team conference to discuss treatment options to offer the most appropriate care for our patients. Our professional team guides each patient through every step of their diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Please click on the link below to learn more about our Surgeons and Oncologists.
Breast Health Team Surgical Oncologists
Breast Health Team Medical Oncologists
For more information on the Breast Health Center at Blumenthal Cancer Center, please call 704-355-2884 or 1-800-804-9376.
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