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Breast cancer care in Illinois
Oncologists and care teams at Ascension Illinois deliver compassionate, personalized breast cancer care focused on you.
Breast cancer care in Illinois
Oncologists and care teams at Ascension Illinois deliver compassionate, personalized breast cancer care focused on you
Breast cancer care at Ascension Illinois
At Ascension Illinois in Chicagoland, our experienced breast cancer specialists are part of a national team of doctors, sharing best practices and advanced treatment options for breast cancer — bringing the best of oncology care close to home.
When you choose Ascension Illinois cancer care, you get a multidisciplinary team of doctors that prioritizes early and personalized treatment, including board-certified, fellowship-trained breast surgeons, breast radiologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, along with a care navigator and a dedicated team of oncology nurses, dietitians and cancer specialists.
The Breast Cancer Care Program at Ascension Illinois is recognized by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), delivering advanced diagnostic tests, high-quality treatments and follow-up care.
When you’re going through breast cancer, we’re by your side
Cancer is personal, and so is the way we care for you. At Ascension Illinois Cancer Care, you’re never alone. You’ll have face-to-face visits with your doctor and an entire care team, dedicated to your care — connecting the dots for you. Your doctor and care navigator will take the time to answer all your questions — big and small. By getting to know you and working together, your care team develops a plan based on your goals and needs. And with a plan, comes hope. Our goal is to help you recover faster so you can get back to your daily life.
A team approach that helps navigate tests and support services
Your care may include imaging, lab tests, pharmacy support, physical therapy or other speciality services. You do not have to navigate your care alone. Upon your cancer diagnosis or when you come to us during your cancer care, you’re paired with a cancer care navigator to help coordinate appointments and connect you with the services you need.
Types of breast cancer
Your doctors and care team at Ascension Illinois deliver a customized care plan for your cancer journey. We treat many types of breast cancer, including:
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): Noninvasive breast cancer in the milk ducts
- Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC: Cancer that has spread into breast tissue beyond the milk ducts
- Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC): Rare, invasive cancer that blocks the lymph vessels
- Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC): Cancer that begins in milk-producing glands
- Male breast cancer: Cancer that forms in the breast tissue of men
- Metastatic breast cancer: Also known as stage 4 (IV) breast cancer, advanced cancer that has spread to other organs of the body
How we diagnose breast cancer
Cancer specialists who know you and your condition review your treatment and progress. Your care team focuses on identifying whether the tumor is noninvasive or invasive, determining where the tumor began and whether the cancer has spread. We use advanced molecular and genetic testing to help guide treatment planning.
To diagnose breast cancer, your doctor may recommend testing, such as:
The latest imaging supports mammogram screening and diagnostic tests for advanced care, including 3D mammograms, breast ultrasound, abbreviated breast MRI and magnetic seed and needle (wire) localization biopsy.
Blood tests can give your doctor a lot of information. They can detect whether certain elements in your blood are in a normal range, and can help confirm or rule out certain conditions.
If you have a higher risk or family history of cancer, your doctor may recommend genetic screening, testing or counseling.
- Bartlett: 847-755-3273
- Chicago: 773-665-8070
- Elk Grove Village: 847-952-7929
At Ascension Illinois, we offer a comprehensive approach to identifying and monitoring your risk for developing breast cancer.
Breast biopsy tests are used to evaluate breast cells and help your doctor confirm your diagnosis and cancer stage.
How we treat breast cancer at Ascension Illinois
Your treatment options for breast cancer may include medication, therapy or surgery.
Breast reconstruction is surgery to create a new breast shape in place of a breast that has been removed (mastectomy). It can be done with implants or with tissue from another part of your body. Sometimes both are used to rebuild a breast shape. The breast mound created comes as close as possible to the shape and look of a natural breast.
Surgery may be done to reconstruct either one breast (unilateral) or both breasts (bilateral). The goal of the unilateral reconstruction is to create a breast mound that matches the other breast. If both breasts have been removed, the goal of the surgery is to create both breast mounds about the size of your natural breasts.
This type of surgery, also known as a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy, only removes the tumor in its entirety. The goal of this surgery is to remove the cancer, while saving as much of the healthy breast tissue as possible. Our surgeons can discuss immediate breast reconstruction, including consultation with a plastic surgeon.
Hormones are chemicals made by glands, like the thyroid, pancreas, adrenal glands, ovaries and testicles. Hormones help some types of cancer cells grow. Some cancers that might be sensitive to hormones and be treated with hormone therapy include breast, prostate, thyroid, endometrial, and adrenal cancers. Hormone therapy can make the cancer cells grow more slowly or stop them from growing.
As a cancer treatment, hormone therapy may mean taking medicines that block the activity of the hormone, prevent the body from producing the hormone or alter the hormone. Sometimes hormone therapy involves surgically removing the gland that's making the hormones.
During a mastectomy, your surgeon removes all or part of your breast or breasts to treat breast cancer. There are several types of mastectomy, including total mastectomy and partial mastectomy. Your breast surgeon will discuss your options with you.
Specially trained physical therapists deliver therapy to help manage lymphedema symptoms, such as swelling and pain.
Advanced radiation therapy is used to target and destroy cancer cells while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue.
Your cancer care team provides support from nutrition education and counseling to breast cancer support groups and spiritual care. At Ascension Illinois Cancer Care sites of care, our healing gardens and chapels are always open to patients and their loved ones. We offer supportive care and activities for the whole you.
Northwest suburbs:844-952-HOPE (4673)
Saint Joseph- Chicago: 773-665-9920
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that boosts your body’s immune system to help it recognize and attack cancer cells. It uses substances that are either made in the body or in a lab to shrink tumors or slow tumor growth.
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 Illinois. We can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options.
When you are facing a new breast cancer diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. Our breast cancer specialists in Illinois can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national team 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 they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.
Frequently asked questions about our breast cancer services
At Ascension Illinois, your doctor and care team get to know you well, and you’ll receive care for the whole person — from physical health and well-being to mental and emotional health to support for your family and caregivers. We provide innovative medication treatments, the latest surgical technologies and techniques, high-tech radiation facilities and support services. Our breast surgeons are part of a national team of cancer specialists sharing the latest in cancer care knowledge and research.
Getting regular breast health screenings and health check-ups may help find breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable. We recommend women get a mammogram each year, starting at age 40, or earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer. When you choose women’s health and breast specialists at Ascension Illinois in Chicago for your care, you are connected to all the care you need — from routine screenings to advanced care.
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. Your cancer care navigator can connect you to a financial counselor.
At Ascension Illinois cancer center and clinics, we offer convenient parking. Talk to your care team if you have transportation needs
Surgical oncologists and anesthesiologists provide 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 treatment, to help speed up your recovery after surgery. Your care team uses these protocols to help you prepare for what to expect before, during and after surgery.
This service requires a referral
To learn how to get a referral, call:
- Ascension Saint Joseph Chicago — UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center: 773-665-9920
- Ascension Alexian Brothers and Ascension Saint Alexius — Cancer Center: 844-952-4673(HOPE)
If your doctor is referring you, they can use these same phone numbers to get everything set up.
Ascension Saint Alexius Cancer Care - Hoffman Estates
1555 North Barrington Rd Building 3, Ste. 1400
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Ascension Alexian Brothers - Cancer Care Elk Grove
800 Biesterfield Road Bldg 5, #120
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
800 Biesterfield Road Bldg 5, #120
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Ascension Saint Joseph Chicago - UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
2845 North Sheridan Rd #1300
Chicago, IL 60657
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.
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