FAQ
Frequently asked questions
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Do I need a mammogram if I am healthy and active?
Every woman should consider breast health checks as part of their regular health care. Most women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors, so it is important to get screened even if you are healthy.
When should I start getting mammograms?
In general, women age 40 and older should get a mammogram every year until you and your provider decide it is safe to stop.
Women who are considered high-risk should have mammograms and possibly MRIs starting at an earlier age as determined by their provider. "High-risk" is anyone who has a greater than 20% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer as determined by family history and other breast cancer risk factors.
Should I be screened for breast cancer during COVID-19?
Absolutely! If you are of age and due for a mammogram please call to schedule your mammogram. We are taking steps so that important health visits can happen safely. All staff and patients must wear masks and be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before going to the office. Equipment, exam rooms, and dressing rooms are cleaned after each patients. We also continue to practice social distancing and have added more time between appointments to ensure there is no crowding in the waiting area and to ensure proper cleaning.
What happens during a mammogram?
A nurse will show you to a private mammography suite where your breast will be positioned between two plastic paddles that are curved in the shape of the breast. The paddles gently compress the breast tissue to obtain an image. This generally takes about less than a minute on each side.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
Most breast cancers are silent and do not have any symptoms. That is why most breast cancers are detected with mammography. However some commons signs of breast cancer that should be checked by a health care provider include: new breast lump, skin changes, skin dimpling, redness, bloody discharge, nipple retraction, new pain not associated with menses.
What if the doctor finds cancer?
If you are diagnosed with breast cancer we will be by your side every step of the way. Right from the start ,our nurse navigator will guide you through setting up specialist appointments and help you find resources that you need. Our approach is individualized and we offer comprehensive care on site via our multidisciplinary approach.
How is breast cancer treated?
The treatment of breast cancer involves controlling the disease locally at the breast with surgery and systemically throughout the body with a possible estrogen-blocking pill or chemotherapy. Not every patient requires the pill and not every patient requires chemotherapy. It all depends on the biology of the tumor. For patients who have a lumpectomy radiation is usually given 4-6 weeks after surgery to make sure the cancer does not come back in that breast. Some patients may even be candidates for intra-operative radiation, where the radiation is given in the operating room during their surgery.
What are my surgical options?
In general two surgical procedures are performed to remove the breast cancer. A lumpectomy or breast conservation surgery involves removing the breast cancer only and leaving the rest of the breast intact. A mastectomy involves removing the entire breast tissue. If there is invasive cancer we test the lymph nodes under the arm.
There are different options for reconstruction to limit cosmetic defects including oncoplasty, tissue rearrangement, reduction mammoplasty, etc. For patients who have a mastectomy in certain situations we are able to save the nipple and skin (nipple-sparing mastectomy) and be able to perform reconstruction with either an implant or with the patient's own tissue (autologous reconstruction). Everyone is unique and each surgical treatment is different for every patient.
Is a plastic surgeon involved for my breast cancer surgery?
I always suggest meeting with our breast dedicated plastic surgeon to discuss options for reconstruction that may include tissue rearrangement, implant based reconstruction, or autologous reconstruction. Everyone is unique and different and your surgical treatment will be decided together with the patient based on their goals, anatomy, and cancer type.
Should I get a second opinion?
A second opinion is meeting with a breast specialist you have not seen before to come up with an independent diagnosis and treatment plan for you. Reasons to obtain a second opinion include: confirming your diagnosis, understanding your options, finding clarity, looking for clinical trials, seeking someone you connect with, finding a place closer to home, etc.
What should I ask my surgeon?
Are you a board-certified surgeon? Have you completed a breast surgical oncology fellowship?Will I need to stay overnight? What are risks of my surgery?Is breast reconstruction an option for me?How long will surgery take? Who gets an MRI?
Not all patients will get a pre-operative MRI. In fact some studies show that obtaining an MRI on every patient leads to unnecessary biopsies and delays in surgery. I consider an MRI on patients who have dense breasts, who are young, have lobular cancers, have multifocal/centric disease.