Breast cancer care in Northwest Florida

Oncologists and care teams at Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer Care deliver compassionate, personalized breast cancer care focused on you.

Breast cancer care in Northwest Florida

Oncologists and care teams at Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer Care deliver compassionate, personalized breast cancer care

  • CALL 850-416-2398 — CANCER CARE NAVIGATOR
  • FIND A BREAST CANCER SPECIALIST

About breast cancer care

At Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, our experienced breast cancer specialists are part of a national network of doctors, sharing best practices and advanced treatment options for breast cancer care — bringing the best of oncology care, close to home. When you choose Ascension St. Vincent's, you get a multidisciplinary team that prioritizes early and personalized treatment delivered by 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 Sacred Heart 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 Sacred Heart 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 Sacred Heart deliver a customized care plan for your cancer. 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, breast MRI and magnetic seed and needle (wire) localization biopsy.

Breast cancer research and clinical trials can give you access to new treatments, often before they become widely available. Talk to your doctor to learn whether cancer clinical trials are the right option for you.

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.

At Ascension Sacred Heart, we offer a comprehensive approach to identifying and monitoring those with a higher 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 Sacred Heart

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 can 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.

Medical oncologists work with your gynecologist and breast surgeon to deliver advanced care (chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted immunotherapy) to help stop cancer spread.

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 breast cancer care team provides support from nutrition education and counseling to breast cancer support groups and spiritual care. At Ascension Sacred Heart 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.

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.

Free mammograms for uninsured women

A simple step that could save your life

Regular mammograms can help find breast cancer early, when it’s often easier to treat. If you’re uninsured, cost should never stand in the way of getting the care you need.

Ascension Sacred Heart offers free screening mammograms for eligible women age 40 and older who don’t have health insurance. This program is made possible through the support of Sacred Heart Foundation donors and is designed to help more women get access to important preventive care.

You may qualify if you:

  • Are age 40 or older
  • Do not have health insurance
  • Live in Florida
  • Do not currently have breast health symptoms
  • Have seen a primary care provider within the last two years

Free mammograms are available at Ascension Sacred Heart locations across Northwest Florida.

Take charge of your breast health

A mammogram screening can give you peace of mind and help detect problems before symptoms appear. If you’re uninsured and due for a mammogram, we're here to help.

Schedule your free mammogram screening today. Find a location near you and learn more about eligibility requirements.

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 Sacred Heart. We can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options.

When you’re 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 Pensacola 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.

GET A SECOND OPINION

Frequently asked questions about breast cancer care services

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. At Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer Center, 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 that 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 Sacred Heart in Pensacola, you’RE 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 Sacred Heart 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

Please call us at 850-416-2398 for information on how to obtain a referral. If you are a provider referring a patient, call 850-416-2398.

Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer Center
1545 Airport Blvd #O
Pensacola, FL 32504

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.

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