Urgent care vs. the ER: How to know where to go
June 11, 2026
Visit the ER for serious illness or injuries when you need emergency care. Visit urgent care for minor injuries or illnesses that need same-day care.
Breast cancer care in Tulsa
Oncologists and care teams at Ascension St. John cancer center deliver compassionate, personalized breast cancer care focused on you
Breast cancer care in Tulsa
Oncologists and care teams at Ascension St. John deliver compassionate, personalized breast cancer care
About breast cancer care at Ascension St. John
At Ascension St. John in Tulsa, Oklahoma, our experienced breast cancer specialists are part of a national team 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 us for breast cancer care, you get a multidisciplinary team of doctors that prioritize 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.
When you’re going through breast cancer, we’re by your side
Breast cancer is personal, and so is the way we care for you. At Ascension St. John, 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 care, you’re paired with a cancer care navigator to help coordinate appointments and connect you with the services you need.
Women's health | Breast cancer |Patient story | Anne |60 |Ascension St. John | Tulsa
Types of breast cancer
Your doctors and care team at Ascension St. John 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
Breast 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.
A new and innovative technique to detect breast cancer recurrence earlier.
If you want to learn more about other possible cancer care options, talk to your doctor. You may want to ask whether cancer clinical trials are the right option for you.
A molecular diagnostic test to help guide decisions about whether radiation therapy is needed after lumpectomy for ductal carcinoma in situ.
Blood tests can provide important information about your health and may help confirm or rule out certain blood disorders or cancers.
Genetic testing may help identify inherited cancer risk and guide screening or treatment decisions.
At Ascension Illinois, we offer a comprehensive approach to identifying and monitoring your risk for developing breast cancer.
Evaluates breast tissue to help diagnose cancer.
How we treat breast cancer
Our highly skilled breast surgeons offer leading-edge techniques and personalized care to treat breast cancer. 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.
Helps restore breast sensation after certain mastectomy procedures.
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.
Ascension St. John provides virtual education and support programs at no cost. We offer weekly cancer support groups, a caregiver group, art classes, meditation and a variety of educational programs. Events are all virtual, so you can participate from the comfort of your own home.
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 St. John. 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 deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. Our breast cancer specialists in Tulsa 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 care services
At Ascension St. John, your doctor and care team get to know you well. 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.
Our Tulsa breast cancer specialists offer many advanced treatments, including:
- Abbreviated breast MRIs
- Breast-conserving surgery
- Breast reconstruction and reshaping
- Breast surgery with SAVI SCOUT® technology
- Breast ultrasounds
- Chemotherapy
- Hidden Scar™ breast surgery
- Hormone therapy
- Immunotherapy and advanced targeted drug therapy
- Lymph node transplantation
- Magnetic seed or wire localization
- Minimally invasive breast biopsy with [magnetic seed, fine needle, wire] localization
- Percutaneous needle biopsies
- Radiation treatments (including brachytherapy, external beam, stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiation therapy)
- 3D mammograms
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.
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 St. John 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’re 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 918-744-3600 for information on how to obtain a referral. If you are a provider referring a patient, call 918-744-3600.
Ascension St. John Medical Center
1923 South Utica Ave
Tulsa, OK 74104
Ascension St. John Jane Phillips
3500 Southeast Frank Phillips Blvd
Bartlesville, OK 74006
Ascension St. John Broken Arrow
1000 West Boise Cir
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.
All registered marks are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Stories you'll love
Helping the next generation of healthcare workers
February 4, 2026
Ascension St. John workforce development manager felt called to come back to the place where she started her career to help the Tulsa community explore careers in healthcare.
Ascension St. John is adding a Level 1 trauma center to the area, bringing convenient advanced emergency care close to home.
If incidents occur this Fourth of July, knowing where and when to get immediate and emergency care is important.
Four summer activities that often lead to injuries
June 23, 2025
Ascension urgent care and orthopedic teams are here to help you manage your summer injury.
Ascension St. John is at the forefront of utilizing robotics in Northeastern Oklahoma
October 17, 2024
Ascension St. John is the robotics leader in northeastern Oklahoma.
Experience complex spine care with a personal touch at Ascension St. John in Oklahoma
August 20, 2024
Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. William Clark at Ascension St. John Scoliosis and Spine in Tulsa, Oklahoma, uses a personalized care team approach to patient surgery