Breast cancer is personal, so is our care for you

When you choose cancer centers and breast health clinics at Ascension sites of care, you get a care team that is part of a national network. Our experienced cancer doctors share best practices and the latest in breast cancer treatment and research – bringing the best of cancer care to you. Every appointment with your oncologist or breast surgeon starts with a compassionate conversation. Your doctor answers your questions and gets to know you. So, you get a personalized cancer care plan. And with a plan, comes hope. We will help you navigate your care and will be by your side every step of the way, connecting the dots. Our goal is to help you get back to home, family, life and self sooner.

Comprehensive care for all types of breast cancer

For many types and stages of breast cancer, it’s important to start treatment right away. Getting the right treatment at the right time for your cancer can help make a difference in your survival and your recovery. From mammograms and diagnostic testing to advanced breast cancer treatments, surgical breast cancer care, breast reconstruction surgery and rehabilitation, all the care you need is close to home.

Your breast cancer specialist   delivers care for many types of breast cancer and non-cancerous breast disease. And our oncologists, radiation therapists and breast surgeons develop highly specialized surgical and therapeutic treatment plans, customized for you.

Your care team focuses on identifying if the tumor is non-invasive or invasive and to know where the tumor began and whether or not it has spread. And we use advanced molecular studies to recognize breast cancer subtypes and hormone receptors (HER-positive, PR negative, ER positive, and triple-negative) to create a care plan for your type of cancer.  

• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), non invasive breast cancer in the milk ducts 
• Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), cancer of the milk ducts that has invaded breast tissue beyond the ducts
• Inflammatory breast cancer ( IBC), rare, invasive cancer that blocks the lymph vessels in the breast skin 
• Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), begins in milk glands
• Male breast cancer, cancer that forms in the breast tissue of men
• Metastatic breast cancer, also known as stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body

Team approach helps navigate tests and support services

Along the way, your care may require imaging, lab testing, pharmacy support, or genetic screening, testing and counseling, and other specialists -- you do not have to navigate your care alone. Your care team will help you schedule appointments, connect with other services and support groups, and answer your questions. From your first consultation and throughout your ongoing care, you and your doctor will stay connected through in-person and virtual visits. When you come into the clinic for your appointments, know that we’re maintaining strict precautions to keep you safe in our care.

Compassionate multispecialty team approach to breast cancer care

Your breast cancer specialists work together with you on a care plan. First, you will meet with your doctor and care team to discuss your diagnosis and your care options. Your doctor will answer your questions -- big and small – paying attention to your needs and those of your caregivers, including your mental and emotional health. In addition to surgeons, your care team may also include a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, radiation therapist, oncology-certified nurses,  physical therapists, dietitian, social worker, chaplain and a supportive palliative care specialist. And your entire care team stays connected to discuss your treatment and progress. As your care needs change, we’re ready to support you.

Treatments with enhanced recovery options

If your care plan includes surgery, surgeons at Ascension sites of care use the latest surgical techniques to help improve your recovery. Your care team may also refer to enhanced recovery pathways as part of your surgical care plan. They are an important part of our cancer treatment programs. Each pathway is personalized for different types of cancer treatments to help speed up your recovery after surgery. Throughout your care, your team uses these protocols to help you prepare for what to expect before, during and after surgery.

Across our national network, we deliver targeted treatment options for many types of breast cancer delivered by highly trained specialists, including:

• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted therapy, including cancer vaccines and gene therapy 

If you want to learn more about other possible options, talk to your doctor. You may want to ask whether cancer clinical trials are the right option for your care.

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy

If you are interested in breast reconstruction after mastectomy, lumpectomy or radiation, talk to your breast surgeon about plastic surgery. At Ascension sites of care, we provide reconstruction options, including scar reduction, breast implants, and skin grafts using FLAP techniques. Your care team works with you to create a care plan to help you feel more like yourself again.

Screenings to help detect cancer early

Getting regular screening mammograms may help find breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. There may be more options for treatment too. Talk with your doctor about the screenings that are right for you based on your age, family history and risk factors. If you have a family history of breast or other cancers, you may also want to ask your doctor about genetic counseling and testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2, because inherited mutations in these genes may put you at higher risk for breast or ovarian cancers. If you have been previously diagnosed with cancer or are in remission, screenings may be an ongoing part of your cancer care. Talk with your doctor about the right timing for ongoing screenings. If you need help finding a doctor, start here.

At Ascension sites of care, we offer convenient diagnostic imaging tests, including 3D mammograms, breast MRI or ultrasound, and advanced care for women’s health.

Get a second opinion on your cancer diagnosis or care plan

Get the confidence and peace of mind that your doctor and care plan are right for you. It's easy to get a second opinion at Ascension sites of care. We can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options. Talk with one of our doctors about a personalized care plan.

When you are facing a new cancer diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. Our cancer specialists can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of an integrated national network of care.

Before your appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so that they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.

Financial assistance and support is available

We can connect you with resources and programs that may be able to help you and your family with options for financial assistance. Our financial counseling team is here to listen to your concerns and work with you to help find options that meet your needs.