Breast Cancer

Providence Hospital provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to patients with breast malignancies. Our approach to diagnosis, treatment, and support services gives women the option of consulting with various specialists, all in one place, and all during one visit.

In addition to our team of physician specialists, a personal care coordinator is available for each patient to help her navigate her diagnosis and breast cancer treatment approach.

Prevention & Early Detection
Breast Self-Examination (BSE)
The American Cancer Society’s screening
recommend women to perform monthly
breast self-examinations (BSE) as early as
their 20’s. Any unusual looks or feelings
detected during an BSE should be
discussed with a physician.

Clinical Breast Examination (CBE)
Women in their 20’s should have a clinical
breast exam by a health professional once
every three years and every year starting at
the age of 40.

Screening Mammogram

Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year, and should continue to as long as they are in good health. Age alone should not be the reason to stop having a yearly mammogram.

The Providence Hospital Mammography Center provides mammography services by experienced certified professionals, using equipment that can detect abnormalities long before the woman or health professional feels it.

The Mammography Center is located in the Wellness Institute on the 3rd floor of the Outpatient Services Building. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (202) 269-7958.

MRI Screening

Women with higher risk factors may be eligible for MRI screening exams for early detection.

For more information, call (202) 269-7054 or (202) 269-5969.

Diagnostics

If an abnormality is detected with mammography or physical exam, a woman will normally be referred for additional breast imaging with diagnostic mammography, ultrasound, or other imaging tests. Depending on the results of the tests, the patient may be referred for a breast biopsy. Biopsy is the only definitive way to determine whether cancer is present.

Treatment

Most patients with breast cancer have surgery to remove the cancer from the breast. This surgery is called a breast-conserving surgery, an operation to remove the cancer but not the breast itself. Patients, at that time, may also have some of the lymph nodes removed from under the arm for biopsy. This procedure is called lymph node dissection.

Surgeries

Breast-conserving  

•   Lumpectomy: the removal of a tumor (lump) and a small amount of normal tissue around it

•   Partial or Segmental Mastectomy: removing the part of the breast that has cancer and some normal tissue around it

Other Surgeries

•   Total or Simple Mastectomy: removing the entire breast that has cancer

•   Modified Radical Mastectomy: removing the entire breast that has cancer, many of the lymph nodes under the arm, the lining over the chest muscles, and sometimes, part of the chest wall muscles.

•   Radical or Halsted Radical Mastectomy: removing the breast that has cancer, chest wall muscles under the breast, and all of the lymph nodes under the arm

Post-Surgical Care

Even if all of the cancer that can be seen at the time of the surgery is removed, some patients may also undergo radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy after surgery to kill any cancer cells that are left.

Support Groups and Programs

Breast Cancer Support Group

An environment for women living with breast cancer to come together to share information, educate, and encourage each other. Meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of every month, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm, on the 3rd floor, in the Providence Hospital Wellness Institute. For more information, call (202) 269-7497 or (202) 269-7543.

Breast Cancer Awareness Programs
Presentations are offered throughout the community and often include informational materials, guest speakers, and incentives. For upcoming presentations in your area, call (202) 269-7275 or see our Classes & Events calendar.