Personalized care for breast cancer
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What is your cancer center known for?
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 Saint Agnes Hospital, 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.
At Ascension Saint Agnes, we provide many advanced treatments, including:
- Breast-conserving surgery
- Breast reconstruction and reshaping
- Hidden Scar™ breast surgery
- Hormone therapy
- Immunotherapy and advanced targeted drug therapy
- Lymph node transplantation
- Minimally invasive breast biopsy with magnetic seed, fine needle, or wire localization
- Radiation oncology treatments (including brachytherapy, external beam, stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiation therapy)
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Does breast screening help detect cancer early?
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 Saint Agnes Hospital Cancer Institute and Breast Center in Baltimore, Maryland for your care, you are connected to all the care you need – from routine screenings to advanced care.
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What tests are used to diagnose breast cancer?
Your care team focuses on identifying if the tumor is non-invasive or invasive and to understand where the tumor began and whether or not it has spread. Diagnostic blood testing, breast imaging (3D mammogram, breast MRI, breast ultrasound) and a biopsy of breast cells help your doctor diagnose your condition and stage even the most rare cancers. And we use advanced genetic and molecular studies to recognize breast cancer subtypes and hormone receptors (HER-2, PR, ER) to create a care plan for your type of cancer.
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Who is on my cancer care team?
Hearing the word cancer comes with a lot of thoughts and emotions, and we’re ready to support you. You'll meet with your doctor to discuss your diagnosis and your care options. At Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital, your care team may include:
- Breast surgeon
- Breast nurse navigator
- Medical oncologist
- Oncology-certified nurses, dietitians and social workers
- Oncology-certified pharmacist
- Palliative care specialist
- Plastic surgeons - reconstructive breast and nipple surgery
- Radiation oncologists
- Radiologists specializing in breast imaging
- Rehabilitation therapists, including lymphedema therapists
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Who should I call when I have questions?
When you choose Ascension Saint Agnes for your cancer care, you get an entire team dedicated to your care. You may have a lot of concerns and questions. Your doctor and care team are ready to listen and answer your questions. Working together, we offer services that help support your treatment plan, including managing pain and other symptoms, medications, appetite changes, sleeplessness, fatigue and mood changes. Your entire care team stays connected throughout your care to discuss your treatment and progress.
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Is financial assistance and support 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. Your cancer care team can connect you to a financial counselor.
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Where do I park?
At Ascension Saint Agnes cancer center and clinics, we offer convenient parking, by a valet if needed. Talk to your care team if you have transportation needs.
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My doctor told me about an enhanced recovery program, what is that?
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.